Let’s start with a few words from the man himself from his confirmation hearing...
Associated Press
“The attorney general represents the public interest, particularly and specifically as defined by the Constitution and the statutes of the United States,” Garland said. “I do not plan to be interfered with by anyone.”
(snip)
“I have grown pretty immune to any kind of pressure, other than the pressure to do what I think is the right thing, given the facts and the law. That is what I intend to do as the attorney general, I don’t care who pressures me in whatever direction,” he said.
(snip)
“I will supervise the prosecution of white supremacists and others who stormed the Capitol on January 6 — a heinous attack that sought to disrupt a cornerstone of our democracy: the peaceful transfer of power to a newly elected government,” Garland said in his opening statement.
He knew what he was getting into… He knew the job wasn’t going to be easy.
In a large criminal investigation, the classic approach is to make cases against lower-level players — the little fish — and use their cooperation to build cases against bigger fish. Well, hundreds of those who rioted at the Capitol are currently being prosecuted — an enormous undertaking. Some have pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate.
If you were trying to build a case against higher-level riot organizers, this is exactly how you would proceed. Indeed, referring to the Jan. 6 investigation at his confirmation hearing, Garland pledged to do just that: “We begin with the people on the ground and we work our way up.” But now some look at Garland doing exactly what he said he would do, and inexplicably conclude he must have decided to let the big fish go free.
(snip)
In the end, there may or may not be criminal cases to be made against senior government officials or others behind the events of Jan. 6. But making that determination was never going to be quick or easy. And, after all, what’s the rush? The potential defendants aren’t going anywhere. The Justice Department should take the time to do it right.
So, quit second guessing him, get off his back and let him do the job he was hired to do...
Vanity Fair
Shortly after 3 p.m., the DOJ announced that a federal grand jury had indicted ex-Trump adviser Steve Bannon for contempt of Congress, following the House’s vote to hold him in contempt after refusing to appear for a deposition with January 6 investigators, and his refusal to turn over requested documents. Bannon was charged with one count for each offense, which could add up to two years in jail, the Justice Department said.
(snip)
Garland and the DOJ have been under major pressure to hold Bannon accountable, as letting him just ignore congressional subpoenas and go about his merry way would send a message to other Trump allies that they could do the same. Bannon is considered to be a key witness for the January 6 select committee because he reportedly had conversations with Trump in the weeks leading up to the attack on the Capitol, was present in the “war room” of Trump allies as the attack unfolded, and told podcast listeners on January 5, “All hell is going to break loose tomorrow.” In September, Bannon admitted that he told Trump before the insurrection that he needed to “kill [the Biden] administration in the crib early on.” “In short, Mr. Bannon appears to have played a multi-faceted role in the events of January 6th, and the American people are entitled to hear his first-hand testimony regarding his actions,” the House committee said in its report putting forward a contempt resolution against Bannon.
According to NBC News, Bannon is expected to self-surrender on Monday. Also on Friday, Trump’s fourth and final chief of staff, Mark Meadows, failed to appear for a scheduled deposition with the committee; so presumably, he can expect to be indicted too.
I’ll conclude with AG Garland’s statement today...
NPR
"Since my first day in office, I have promised Justice Department employees that together we would show the American people by word and deed that the department adheres to the rule of law, follows the facts and the law and pursues equal justice under the law, Today's charges reflect the department's steadfast commitment to these principles."
He’s got this...