Merrick Garland Among Biden Candidates For Attorney General, Sources Say

[sabra]

Source: NPR

Federal appeals court Judge Merrick Garland is under consideration to serve as attorney general in the administration of President-elect Joe Biden, NPR has learned from two people closely following the process.

Garland, 68, is the widely respected former chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. He launched his career at the Justice Department decades ago.

Garland oversaw the prosecution of Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh and gained significant management experience inside the sprawling department in the 1990s.

More recently, Garland was nominated to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court by President Barack Obama, to fill the seat vacated by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia.

Read more: https://www.npr.org/sections/biden-transition-updates/2020/11/20/937043662/merrick-garland-among-biden-candidates-for-attorney-general-sources-say?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=npr&utm_medium=social&utm_term=nprnews

[TDale313]

1. Like that idea a lot.

[CatMor]

2. That would be poetic justice ..

I hope it happens.

[calimary]

25. INDEED!

A nice little "up yours!" to Ol' Moscow.

And Biden can bypass Mitch completely by designating Merrick Garland ACTING AG. Nothing Ol' Moscow can do to get in the way of that.

[CatMor]

29. That's good, I didn't know that.

Last edited Fri Nov 20, 2020, 03:47 PM - Edit history (1)

[TheRealNorth]

3. not sure I would want to pull a judge off the Federal judiciary

if the Turtle can block his replacement.

[sandensea]

13. +1

Only goose-steppers need apply, as far as Mitch the Bitch is concerned.

And the younger the better, as far as Lindsey is concerned.

[TomSlick]

21. If I was on the federal appellate bench, I would be slow to leave to take a temporary job in DoJ.

If Judge Garland is willing to do so, it would be an extraordinary act of selfless service to the country.

[HermitageHermit]

34. Judge Garland is 68

How many more years does he want to work, even if he isn't picked as AG? 8 years as Attorney General after his years on the bench, he'll be ready to move to wherever retired justices go.

AG doesn't get paid any less than a judge.

[TomSlick]

45. 68 years old. Probably six or so more years of active service.

Then take senior status - full pay for only as much work as you want to do.

[jaxexpat]

35. If he's not willing to make that sacrifice then he's NOT the right man for the job.

[TomSlick]

46. I'll buy that.

[jaxexpat]

49. Yeah, it really bugs me that government has degenerated to catering for prima donnas.

I mean, just screw these entitled SOB's.

[Doreen]

4. I was hoping Biden was going to put him.in somewhere.

[cloudbase]

5. Why give up lifetime tenure

for a temporary position?

[marylandblue]

6. He is 68. How much longer does he want to work anyway?

And who better to be a foil against McConnell?

[Polybius]

15. 20 years

That seems to be the going age on federal courts.

[Miguelito Loveless]

9. So he can spend the next 8 years

investigating the people who thwarted the Constitution.

[Raven123]

10. I thought of the same question. Wonder what Garland is thinking.

[Bayard]

7. Interesting choice

Does he have enough fire in his belly?

I'm thinking this last travesty pick to the Supremes should be impeached. Install Garland there.

[BComplex]

8. That's my concern. He's too conservative to go after the trump administration crimes.

He's been too non-controversial for too long.

[onetexan]

43. Bingo. Put Preet B, or Sally Y, or Adam Schiff. Need a sledgehammer to ensure all the corruption

of this horrendous administration is dealt the hand of exacting justice.

[smirkymonkey]

44. I agree.

My immediate thought was NO! We need a solid liberal firebrand as AG. I really hope he is not going to fill his administration with all these center-right types who are just going to stay the course.

[Polybius]

14. Too hard to do

We don't have 67 Senate votes for removal of a Justice.

[Sherman A1]

11. Not my choice, but I wasn't asked and

I trust Biden will choose the best person for the job.

[Lonestarblue]

12. No.

He’s too conservative, and he’s not the attack dog we need to clean up after Barr and Trump. I like most of Biden’s choices so far, but I’m somewhat concerned that he may choose too many old-school Democrats who go along to get along—like Diane Feinstein. The Trump administration has been a disaster, and a clear message needs to be sent that accountability is happening.

[OneBro]

31. Well said.

[LizBeth]

16. With someone like Garland, I think it will be an indication from Biden we are all just moving on. 4

years of corruption, laws broken, extreme and outrageous behavior and the democratic Party moves on to unite, and put out the fires the best we can. Nothing to see here.

[bucolic_frolic]

17. I think we need a former prosecutor, not a former judge

Plus, as a judge, wouldn't he be constantly recusing himself from the parties involved in the cases he heard?

This is a non-starter, in my opinion.

[BlueStater]

18. I feel like this man deserves something.

I feel horrible that he was cheated out of the SC seat he was completely qualified for by a bunch of despicable assholes.

[Omaha Steve]

19. His record on labor is not so hot

I'll pass on this.

[bluecollar2]

50. Amen...

TWU retired here after 31 years.

Unions are on the brink...

[NoRoadUntravelled]

20. Yes. It will be so good to have an honest person as AG with such a high level of competence.

It's especially fitting given what happened with his nomination during the Obama administration.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

22. only if he can idict Mitch McConnell - on several charges.

We know Moscow Mitch gets away with crimes because of his power. It all - including the wife - needs a public airing. Oh, please!

[IronLionZion]

23. The Biden team knows what they're doing

I'm sure they'll evaluate all candidates and choose the right people for each job.

[pandr32]

24. This makes me happy dance

[TomDaisy]

26. if Biden is trolling Mitch I love it!

[List left]

27. Not a good choice

Not a good choice. We need someone who will Prosecute those responsible for the disastrous last four years with minimal political motivation. He would not be aggressive enough and the fact he was denied SC appointment would be used against the process.

[mikelgb]

28. Not a fan of this idea.

Garland was a compromise Obama pick to foolishly try and win over republicans who at the time were threatening not to confirm a judge. We all know how this played out. I would have no problem with him being re-nominated to the Supreme Court but even HRC would not pledge to do that. I would much rather see, Preet Bharara, Adam Schiff or even Sheldon Whitehouse serve as AG.

[kacekwl]

30. I hope he is a bulldog. We need a bulldog

as AG. Going after all the crimes committed and I'm sure will yet to be commited.

[OneBro]

32. I ain't angry, but . . . sigh.

It is unfair that Garland lost the Supreme Court appoint due to republican obstruction, but Democrats don't owe Garland anything. Democrats don't owe him the next appointment to the Court, and we don't owe him a position in Biden's administration. Garland, a moderate, was a compromise appointment based on Obama's good faith attempt to work with Republican senators who had no intention whatsoever of working in good faith with Obama. Yes, of course Biden gets to pick his own peeps, but it seems to me that there are many, many better choices than Garland.

[regnaD kciN]

42. Sadly, even if we had a SCOTUS vacancy and a Democratic Senate...

...I wouldn't want Garland to be our nominee anymore. Not only was he a moderate "compromise" pick in a vain attempt to win over McConnell, but he's 68 now, and wouldn't be on the Court for long. If we reach the point where we can name a new Justice and be sure they'll be confirmed, I want someone at least as young as the nominees Trump put on the bench...which is why, sadly, I wouldn't want us to put Clinton or Obama on the Court, either, even if naming them would be enough to make right-wingers' heads explode.

[LisaM]

33. Bwa ha ha.

That was my first thought!

[radius777]

36. No, Doug Jones is much better.

Taking Garland off of the court makes no sense when Mitch will block any replacement. Garland also is not a politician, and being AG is partly political. Jones is out of a job and he's a good politician as well as tough lawyer who prosecuted the Klan.

[ouija]

37. This

Is called justice.

[Dan]

38. I'm sorry, Garland may be a good man - But I want a total Bastard for the DOJ.

[Evolve Dammit]

39. Oooh. That could leave a mark.

[Boogiemack]

40. SWEET!!!

He can move over from there to the next or 2nd next position.

[regnaD kciN]

41. "I'll take 'Karma' for $500, Alex."

P.S.: R.I.P. Mr. Trebeck

[NYC Liberal]

47. Technically, he could remain a federal judge while serving as Attorney General.

The Constitution only prohibits a member of Congress from simultaneously holding another office. It does not prohibit someone from serving in both the Executive and Judicial branches at the same time.

John Marshall served simultaneously as Secretary of State and Chief Justice for a month in 1801.

[Raine]

48. GOOD, he deserves something after the way

he was screwed over.

[RussBLib]

51. How about Glenn Kirshner?

Need some fire! Garland seems pretty, uh, boring and staid.