(Luis Cornelio, Headline USA) Attorney General Merrick Garland faced a barrage of criticism from House Republicans during a tense hearing before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.
The hearing centered around allegations of corruption embroiling the DOJ, political interference in the criminal probe of Hunter Biden and the targeting of traditional Catholics.
Garland, who appeared before the committee to defend the contentious actions of the DOJ under his leadership, was immediately met with fiery questions from fired-up Republicans.
“Our job is to uphold the rule of law. That means that we apply the same laws to everyone,” Garland claimed in his opening statement, rejecting damning allegations that the DOJ operates with a two-tier system of justice.
However, this response failed to quell the mounting criticism. House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, confronted Garland, alleging that the DOJ and District Attorney David Weiss of Delaware allowed the statute of limitations to expire on Hunter Biden’s alleged tax crimes.
Why’d they slow walk the Hunter Biden investigation?
Because they knew the Burisma scandal would lead right to President Biden.
📽️ : @Jim_Jordan pic.twitter.com/o8XLIjd53W
— House Judiciary GOP 🇺🇸 (@JudiciaryGOP) September 20, 2023
“Did they forget? Did the lawyers just, like, oh, darn we let it — were they careless?” Jordan asked. A defiant Garland responded, “This investigation was being conducted by Mr. Weiss, an appointee of President Trump. You will, at the appropriate time, have the opportunity to ask Mr. Weiss that question and he will no doubt address it in the public report that will be transmitted to the Congress.”
Jordan remained unconvinced. “We all know why they did it,” the Ohio lawmaker added. “Everyone knows why they did it … those tax years, that involved the president. It’s one thing to have a gun charge in Delaware. That doesn’t involve the President of the United States. But Burisma? Oh, my, that goes right to the White House.”
Rep. Jefferson Van Drew, R-N.J., also pressed Garland, this time regarding allegations that the DOJ was targeting traditional Catholics. He referenced a memo from a Richmond FBI field office that labeled traditional Catholics as “violent extremists.”
“Do you agree that traditional Catholics are violent extremists? Yes or No?” –@Congressman_JVD
WHY IS IT SO HARD FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL GARLAND TO JUST SAY 𝐍𝐎? pic.twitter.com/yyv641GVJp
— House Judiciary GOP 🇺🇸 (@JudiciaryGOP) September 20, 2023
Van Drew asked Garland, “Do you agree that traditional Catholics are violent extremists? Yes or no?” Faced with the tough question, Garland deflected by responding, “Let me answer what you said in that long list of — I’d be happy to answer all of those.” Later in the exchange, Garland responded, “May I answer the question,” before ultimately adding, “I have no idea what the traditional means here.”
Garland was further grilled on the facts surrounding the January 6 protests. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., questioned previous testimony from Garland regarding the number of federal agents “agitating” the crowd before the protests.
Massie bluntly accused Garland of defying Congressional oversight by refusing to answer questions. “This is an answer that’s appropriate at a press conference,” the Kentucky stated. “It’s not an answer that’s appropriate when we are asking questions … you cannot continue to give us these answers. Aren’t you in fact in contempt of Congress when you refuse to answer?”
.@RepThomasMassie EXCORIATES Merrick Garland over J6 and Ray Epps.
Garland is a traitor and should be treated as such. pic.twitter.com/lZ53lbbjLZ
— Stew Peters (@realstewpeters) September 20, 2023
