US appeals court judge Merrick Garland testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday at a confirmation hearing for his nomination as US attorney general. …
US appeals court judge Merrick Garland testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday at a confirmation hearing for his nomination as US attorney general. Garland enjoys broad, bipartisan support despite the fact that Republicans blocked his nomination to the Supreme Court in 2016, and he is widely expected to be confirmed after a floor vote next week. During his testimony, the jurist emphasized his commitment to staying apolitical, discussed what led him to become a public servant, and spoke at length about systemic racism and the threat of white supremacy and domestic terrorism. Here are the biggest takeaways from the first day of hearings: Several Republican senators asked Garland about his view on the DOJ’s internal investigation into the origins of the Russia investigation, led by US attorney John Durham. Garland said he didn’t know anything about the probe beyond what’s been reported in the media and added that he could not comment on the inquiry without knowing all the facts of the case. However, he said, “I understand that Mr. Durham has been permitted to remain in his position, and I know of nothing that would give me any doubt that was the correct decision.” “I can assure you that this would be my first priority and my first briefing when I return to the department if I am confirmed,” the judge said.
