So, Garland did it right.

[Septua]

Hired a Special Counsel to do the dirty work so no one could accuse him of running a political agenda. Now that Smith has done the work and made the indictment, Garland approved it. In spite of the many doubts, he said what he was going to do, and has done it...

[gab13by13]

1. I hate to break this to you,

but the Magats are accusing Garland of running a political agenda. The Magat argument is that Biden and Pence did the same thing as Trump but Garland and Smith wanted to bring down the leading Republican candidate.

One question I have never gotten a good answer to, maybe you can help?

When Garland said he would not be partisan, who was he speaking to? In fact, isn't Garland being partisan by not being partisan? I mean it was only members of the Republican party who tried to end our democracy.

[hippywife]

3. What exactly is your goal...

with all of these anti-Garland posts? He's been on the federal bench since 1997, plenty of a track record there if you want to try to nitpick his career looking for partisanship.

[liberal N proud]

5. They would do that no matter what

To them, everything is partisan.
I do mean everything.

[Beastly Boy]

6. I don't recall Garland making any comments on his own non-partisanship. He didn't have to.

It's in his job description. What I recall is him saying that he will pursue justice "without fear or favor". And THAT he did, MAGATs be damned.

So, before we can even begin to speculate about who he spoke to, shouldn't we first establish whether, when and under what circumstances Garland said he would not be partisan?

[ancianita]

12. Neal Katyal and Andrew Weissman answered your question tonight on Lawrence O'Donnell's show.

"Attorney General Garland did not approve or sign off on these charges against Trump. He only could have blocked any move by Smith only if he saw anything "so inappropriate or unwarranted that it should not be allowed.... if he did so, he would have had to inform Congress."

This is completely consistent with the Special Counsel Rules, written by Neal Katyal. Weissman and Katyal said the Special Counsel Regulations are set up explicitly to keep the AG or #2 from any appearance of political partisan behavior.

Only the most senior career prosecutor from the Special Counsel would be meeting with Trump's people. That's why Garland never saw them after the Trusty group sent their goofy letter. That's why no one in the Special Counsel speaks to the press.

In answer to your question, Garland is not partisan.

[boston bean]

24. What was the reason he appointed Smith?

What was Garland doing two years prior? He in what he calls non partisan was begging trump for documents.

We should have been long down this path.

That is my criticism of him.

In being so afraid of being called partisan, he delayed justice. And that in itself is partisan and political.

Glad trump decided to announce to force Garland to appoint a special prosecutor who within months got an indictment.


All the news is stating Garland did not want to do this.

But still happy we are seeing it finally no matter how it happened. Our democracy is on the line. No man is above the law.

[Fiendish Thingy]

14. Theme song for your ad nauseum claim regarding Garland and partisanship:

[treestar]

19. Doubling down is for MAGATS

[Septua]

26. I'm well aware of the Magat position and never expected otherwise.

Here's what I know Garland has said:

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/ag-garland-reiterates-person-trump-law-jan/story?id=87140695

Attorney General Merrick Garland on Wednesday reiterated that "no person," not even a former president, was above the law amid calls from some congressional Democrats to charge Donald Trump after last year's Capitol riot.

During a press conference, a visibly animated Garland twice said that "no person" was above the law when pressed specifically about Trump, whom Democrats say incited the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection over his unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud in 2020. Democrats also cite Trump's larger, months-long campaign to try and reverse his election loss. (Trump insists he did nothing wrong.)

The Gym Jordan types well know the facts and the truth but can't admit it for fear of getting crossways with "the base." So, claims of partisan politics is the only position they have to run with.

[Marius25]

2. Uh, the entire right-wing wing apparatus is calling this a political agenda

[spanone]

4. That's all they've got.

[Cha]

8. Anyone give a shit who isn't brainwashed.

[treestar]

20. There is a difference between ridiculous statements

made by Republicans and an actual appearance of impropriety.

[Spazito]

7. Yes, yes he sure did...

appointed Smith and then stood back and let him do the job.

[Cha]

9. TY, AG Garland & SC Jack Smith.

I was one of the patient ones who felt they knew more than those trying to Rush their jobs.

[ancianita]

10. Garland did not approve OR disapprove it. Smith gets no opinion from Garland or Monaco.

That was made clear by Neal Katyal tonight.

[Deminpenn]

22. Katyal said Garland could have opted to approve,

but it's not required by the regulation. Garland could have vetoed the recommendation had the recommendation been blatantly political, think Ken Starr's Whitewater investigation that went far, far afield.

Also, there was a DU'er who preciently noted that Smith was brought in as a "closer", not to start from scratch.

[Septua]

23. As I understand, Garland has the final word...

..so regardless the absence of some "APPROVED" rubber stamp, he didn't sway from 'pursuit of justice without fear or favor.' Smith concluded an indictment was in order and Garland no doubt agrees.

[lees1975]

11. I'm glad he brought Smith in as special counsel. That was a great choice

and in situations like this, you look good when your people do their job.

I look at it this way. The contrast between Barr, who was more than just partisan, but a protector of corription, and Garland is stark. I'm glad there was a special counsel brought in, that it was Smith and that we saw a first round of indictments . I hope the second round is as productive in nailing the orange buffoon's rear end for January 6th and his attack on Congress and the Constitution.

Get the trial dates moved up and get a couple of convictions. If he understands the implications, he'll get that accomplished.

[MiniMe]

13. And yet...they are blaming Biden

Biden had nothing to do with this indictment or investigation

[SunSeeker]

15. Jack Smith has not been doing "dirty work." He is pursuing justice. nt

[Joinfortmill]

16. Never doubted it. Joe & Merrick are patriots.

[BlueKota]

17. I give Garland credit for appointing Smith

and Smith for getting the indictment on the theft of government property. I am beyond happy about this.

Now I hope more indictments will be following in regards to inciting the attempted insurrection, and attempted election interference.

[Autumn]

18. Anyone who thinks that the assholes won't accuse him of a running a political agenda

hasn't paid one bit of attention. Their God could announce from the clouds that Trump is an evil crook and sold out the country to every tin horn dictator these, and people would throw rocks and feces at him and insist their god is running a political agenda.

That is what they fucking do for fucks sake. Excuses are thinner than water.

[honest.abe]

25. Those assholes are hopeless no matter what.

[honest.abe]

21. Agreed.