AG Garland Takes Questions on Hunter Biden, Border Crisis in Senate Hearing

Attorney General Merrick Garland appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday, and took questions on a range of hot-button issues, from Hunter Biden to hate crimes.

The Details: The hearing was the panel’s first oversight hearing of the Justice Department in the 118th Congress. Garland took questions on the border crisis, drugs, weaponization of law enforcement, and the ongoing Hunter Biden probe.

Key Quotes: Garland said "I have pledged not to interfere with that investigation, and I have carried through on my pledge," when asked about the Hunter Biden probe. When asked about a leaked FBI memo on "Radical-Traditionalist Catholics," Garland called it "appalling" and said the FBI is "looking into how this ever could have happened." To a question about the justice system and disproportionately severe sentencing, Garland said, "we don’t have money, we don’t have enough jails, we don’t have enough judges."

For Context: Garland has been at the center of political controversy and accusations of political bias since being confirmed as U.S. Attorney General in March 2021. Later that year, he noted a "a disturbing spike in harassment, intimidation, and threats of violence" against public school employees, which some perceived as a crackdown on parents opposed to COVID-19 lockdowns, critical race theory, and LGBTQ+-related curriculum. 

How the Media Covered It: Sources across the spectrum covered the hearing. Some right-rated sources focused more on questions about the Biden family, and framed the Justice Department as being partisan toward the current administration.