Garland set to testify at House hearing with DOJ mired in controversies

Post Content

Attorney General Merrick Garland will testify at a House committee hearing Thursday dedicated to oversight of the Justice Department at a time when the agency is in the middle of several high-profile cases and controversies.

House Judiciary Committee ranking member Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, gave a preview of what is to come, specifically questions over Garland’s recent memo regarding federal intervention in matters of violence or intimidation targeting state and local school board members. The memo drew concerns that the federal government was overstepping by getting involved in local matters, and could be chilling free speech following incidents where parents vocally opposed policies regarding mask mandates and the teaching of critical race theory.

SEVENTEEN STATES ASK BIDEN, GARLAND TO STOP INTIMIDATING PARENTS INTO SILENCE AT SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS

“Who cares more about a kid? The federal government – Joe Biden and Merrick Garland – or moms and dads?” Jordan asked in an appearance on Newsmax. “He will get a lot of questions on that issue tomorrow from Republican members of the Judiciary Committee.”

Another issue that Garland could face is the ongoing surge of migrants crossing the southern border. The attorney general was among administration leaders who traveled to Mexico earlier this month to discuss border security.

Garland’s Justice Department is also dealing with the issue of abortion, asking the Supreme Court to block enforcement of a Texas law that bans most abortions after doctors have detected a fetal heartbeat. This typically occurs around six weeks into a pregnancy – before some women are aware that they are pregnant and well before the established standard of fetal viability.

PSAKI, DOJ IN DAMAGE CONTROL MODE AFTER BIDEN SAYS SUBPOENA DEFIERS SHOULD BE PROSECUTED

The attorney general could also face questions regarding the FBI’s failures in investigating claims against convicted sex offender and former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar. Athletes including Olympic champions Simone Biles, Aly Raisman and McKayla Maroney testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee in September, discussing how officials failed to act upon their allegations. Nassar was ultimately convicted in multiple state trials, and Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco revealed that the DOJ was reviewing their decision not to charge FBI agents for their conduct during their investigation.

Garland’s testimony also comes the same day that the full House will be voting on whether to hold former Trump administration adviser Steve Bannon in contempt of Congress for ignoring a subpoena from a House panel investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. If the House passes the resolution, the matter will be referred to the DOJ to determine whether or not to prosecute Bannon.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

President Biden had weighed in on the matter, stating that the DOJ should prosecute those who do not comply with subpoenas. A DOJ spokesperson responded by stating that the Department will make that determination for themselves.

“The Department of Justice will make its own independent decisions in all prosecutions based solely on the facts and the law,” the spokesperson said. “Period. Full stop.”