AG Merrick Garland Testifies Before House Judiciary Committee

Attorney General Merrick Garland testified in front of the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday, the same day that the House gets ready to vote on a criminal contempt resolution for Steve Bannon. Garland told lawmakers that the Justice Department "will apply the facts and the law and make a decision" on whether or not to prosecute the former Trump adviser for his refusal to cooperate in the House's investigation of the Jan. 6 Capitol riots. Although he defended his department's handling of the "intolerable assault" on the Capitol, Garland reiterated his commitment to keeping partisanship out of the department's decisions. He kept details regarding ongoing investigations of "any US citizen" close to his chest — including Hunter Biden. The attorney general also commented on his Oct. 4 memo about the "disturbing spike" in violence that educators are facing over highly politicized issues such as mask mandates and critical race theory. Garland clarified that the Justice Department is "not investigating peaceful protest or parent involvement at school board meetings" but any "threats of violence." 

Coverage from left-rated outlets highlighted the Bannon probe referral and the Justice Department's response to the Capitol riots. Right-rated outlets were more likely to focus on how Garland "dodged" questions and has become "involved in matters that should be handled by state and local law enforcement," including the school board memo.