Name: 'I Am Not the President's Lawyer': Attorney General Rejects Claims of Political Meddling at DOJ
Uploaded: 2023-09-21T07:45:41.000Z
Description: Attorney General Merrick Garland on Sept. 20 denied allegations that his Department of Justice (DOJ) had been politically influenced in its decisions amid ongoing Republican probes into the department's conduct.

Arian Pasdar is an international correspondent for NTD News based in South America. His reporting focuses on immigration and key events in Latin America.

Arian Pasdar

NTD Plus

News

News with integrity, from the United States and around the world. Focused reports and analyses that shed light on major issues the world deserves to know. NTD Evening News airs daily at 6 p.m. ET.

NTD Evening News

US Set to Host First Talks Between Israeli and Lebanese Military Leaders

Jack Bradley is a Washington correspondent for NTD News based in Washington, D.C. Jack previously anchored "NTD Newsroom" and worked as an assistant producer for the show. 

Jack Bradley

‘Unbroken’ Screens in Taipei, Shows Shen Yun Defying Chinese Regime Pressure

Christina Corona is a California-based reporter for NTD News. She primarily covers California news, politics, and entertainment.  

Christina Corona

California Gov. Newsom Signs New Election Bill Into Law Ahead of Statewide Primary

Sean Marshall is a reporter based at NTD's global headquarters in New York City, primarily covering business and technology trends. 

Sean Marshall

Politicians Find Common Ground in Love for NY Knicks

Jason Blair is a national correspondent for NTD News based in California. 

Jason Blair

Death Threats Made to ICE Agents at Newark Facility

Arleen Richards is NTD's legal correspondent based at the network's global headquarters in New York City, where she covers all major legal stories. Arleen holds a Doctor of Law (J.D.).


Arleen Richards

Judge Declines to Block Trump's Mail-In Voting Executive Order

Jason Perry is an Army veteran and NTD's National Security Correspondent based at the network's global headquarters in New York City. Jason primarily covers border security, national defense, foreign wars, and veterans' issues.

Jason Perry

FBI Details Atlanta Security Measures for World Cup

Cary Dunst is the news anchor for NTD Evening News. He is also the co-host of NTD Good Morning.


Cary Dunst

Trump Accounts Are 'Out-of-the-Box Thinking Trump Has Developed': Financial Advisory Managing Partner

Dave Martin is NTD's Senior Sports Reporter and sports analyst. He also hosts "Data Hub" segments during NTD's special election coverage, "The Nation Decides."

Dave Martin

French Open Shocker: No. 1 Jannik Sinner Upset in 2nd Round

Zachary Stieber is a senior reporter for The Epoch Times based in Maryland. He covers U.S. and world news. Contact Zachary at zack.stieber@epochtimes.com

Zachary Stieber

US News

CIA Official Arrested With More Than $42 Million Stashed in His House

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (May 28)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (May 27)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (May 26)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (May 25)

Chris Beers is an NTD News anchor and political correspondent based at the network's global headquarters in New York City. Chris co-anchors "NTD News Today" weekdays at 10:00 am ET.

Chris Beers

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (May 24)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (May 23)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (May 22)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (May 21)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (May 20)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (May 19)

The Associated Press is an American not-for-profit news agency headquartered in New York City. 

The Associated Press

State News

California

More Than 17,000 Under Evacuation Orders as Southern California Wildfire Threatens Homes

Joseph Lord is a congressional reporter for The Epoch Times.


Joseph Lord

Aldgra Fredly is a freelance writer covering U.S. and Asia Pacific news for The Epoch Times.

Aldgra Fredly

Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani Hospitalized in Critical Condition: Spokesman

Rudy Blalock is a Southern California-based daily news reporter for NTD. Originally from Michigan, he moved to California in 2017 and the sunshine and ocean have kept him here since. In his free time, he may be found underwater scuba diving, on top of a mountain hiking or snowboarding, or at home meditating—which helps fuel his active lifestyle.

Rudy Blalock

40,000 Ordered to Evacuate as Chemical Tank Leaks, Threatens Explosion in California

Video of US Fighter Jet Shooting Down UFO Over Lake Huron Emerges in New Pentagon Files

Ryan Morgan is a reporter for The Epoch Times focusing on military and foreign affairs. He was previously a news writer for NTD. 


Ryan Morgan

Mari Otsu is NTD's White House correspondent based in Washington. 

Mari Otsu

World News

Middle East

Iran

3 US Warships Fend Off Iranian Attacks, Trump Says Ceasefire Still Holds

NTD Newsroom comprises teams of reporters, editors, and producers assigned to cover breaking news and other stories.


NTD Newsroom

News you can trust from the U.S. and around the world. Critical information and insight. We cover the stories that others don’t. NTD News Today airs Monday–Friday at 11 a.m. ET.

NTD News Today

US Government Sues Chick-fil-A Over Religious Rights

Health News

3 Dead in Suspected Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship in Atlantic Ocean: WHO

Sports News

Kyle Busch, Two-Time NASCAR Champion, Dies at 41

Haika Mrema

Medical Plane Crash in New Mexico Mountains Kills 4, Sparks Wildfire

Daniel Monaghan is a reporter for NTD News covering culture, social issues, and education. He holds a BA in Political Science and Government.

Daniel Monaghan

California Mayor Resigns, Will Plead Guilty to Acting as Chinese Agent

Attorney General Merrick Garland on Sept. 20 denied allegations that his Department of Justice (DOJ) had been politically influenced in its decisions amid ongoing Republican probes into the department's conduct.

"I am not the president's lawyer," Mr. Garland said, heading off expected allegations that his agency had worked to protect the first family.

Mr. Garland's testimony to the House Judiciary Committee comes during ongoing investigations into Hunter Biden, President Joe Biden's son, and two separate DOJ-led cases against former President Donald Trump. In both cases, the DOJ has faced accusations of being guided by political motives to protect the Biden family and to hurt President Trump.

In his opening remarks, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) referenced these cases, as well as a series of other allegations against the DOJ.

He accused the DOJ of overseeing "one investigation protecting President Biden, another prosecuting President Trump."

Mr. Jordan told Mr. Garland to be prepared also to answer questions about allegations that the DOJ had targeted parents speaking out about controversial concepts of race and gender at school board meetings, allegations that the FBI considered sending confidential informants into traditionalist Catholic parishes, and the DOJ's role in working with social media companies to suppress certain stories and ideas.

"1 in 5 Americans believe there is a double standard of justice in our country," Mr. Jordan said.

In response, Ranking Member Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) claimed that "extreme MAGA Republicans" were subverting the hearing to push what he called "a deluge of conspiracy theories and baseless accusations."
<h2>Defending the Department</h2>
During his opening remarks, Mr. Garland claimed that there was a misunderstanding of "what [the DOJ's] job is and what it is not," citing some roles of the department like "defending reproductive rights" and "prosecuting hate crimes."

"Our job is to pursue justice without fear or favor," Mr. Garland said. "Our job is not to do what is politically convenient. Our job is not to take orders from the president, from Congress, or from anyone else, about who or what to criminally investigate."

Mr. Garland denied accusations of politically-biased interference in the cases undertaken by the DOJ.

“As the president himself has said, and I reaffirm here today: I am not the president’s lawyer. I will also add that I am not Congress’ prosecutor," he said. "The Justice Department works for the American people."

He said the job of the DOJ is to follow the facts and the law, wherever they lead.

“All of us at the Justice Department recognize that with this work comes public scrutiny, criticism, and legitimate oversight. These are appropriate and important given the gravity of the matters before the Department," Mr. Garland said. "But singling out individual career public servants who are just doing their jobs is dangerous—particularly at a time of increased threats to the safety of public servants and their families."

"We will not be intimidated," he concluded. "We will do our jobs free from outside interference. And we will not back down from defending our democracy."

The House Judiciary responded to Mr. Garland's claims in a post on X, calling Mr. Garland's comments "false."

"Attorney General Garland just falsely argued that DOJ doesn't apply two standards of justice," the panel wrote in a post. "It's clear that if you're a Biden or Clinton you're held to a different standard of 'justice' than normal Americans.

The hearing, as indicated by the opening salvos put forward by members of both parties, is expected to be a heated one touching on some of Congress' most pressing concerns with the agency as it simultaneously considers the proper funding level for the DOJ and the FBI.

<em>From <a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/i-am-not-the-presidents-lawyer-attorney-general-rejects-claims-of-political-meddling-at-doj-5495155">The Epoch Times</a></em>

Latest

Congress

Videos

Politics

01_Lead Story

04_Top Stories

political

Premium Picks

Latest Clips

biden

Management

Garland

02_Second Lead

Executive Branch

Hunter Biden

Latest and breaking news, documentaries, movies, and lifestyle content on NTD+.
 
Empower your knowledge and elevate your spirit with NTD+, your go-to destination for truthful news, insightful documentaries, and captivating lifestyle content that enriches your life.