Merrick Garland's tenure as U.S. Attorney General culminated in a paradox of celebration and censure as he exited the Department of Justice. A surge of criticism from conservative circles marked his departure.
Fox News reported that Garland left the Department of Justice on a Friday, exiting to the applause of staffers and government officials but to derision and scorn from those outside of the D.C. bubble.
A DOJ-released video capturing this moment went viral, juxtaposing the internal acclaim with a starkly different reaction online.
Throughout his term, Garland faced significant scrutiny from conservative critics who frequently labeled him and his policies as corrupt. His leadership was consistently under the microscope, spotlighted by several controversial decisions and policies.
Garland's apparent popularity in the DOJ serves as a great example of why the entire bureaucracy must be purged in order to bring about a change in culture.
Perhaps the most contentious action was Garland’s authorization of a raid on Mar-a-Lago, part of an investigation into former President Donald Trump’s handling of classified records. This move was heavily criticized by Garland's detractors, who accused him of unprecedented political targeting.
Moreover, under Garland's direction, the FBI and U.S. attorney offices were tasked in 2021 to address increasing harassment and threats against school officials by parents. His critics argued that these actions were against free speech and wrongly targeted concerned parents.
In Congress, Garland faced questions over allegations that the FBI was specifically targeting Catholics, following attacks on Catholic churches.
This added to the image conservative commentators painted of a DOJ that unevenly applied justice, depending on political affiliation or religious orientation.
As the video of Garland’s last day made the rounds on social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), a flurry of negative comments emerged from high-profile conservative figures. These comments ranged from outright denouncements to calls for sweeping changes at the DOJ following his departure.
RNC Research expressed relief at his departure, tweeting, "Good riddance, Merrick Garland — you pathetic hack. @PamBondi will finally restore dignity to the DOJ. MAGA!"
This sentiment was echoed by figures such as Rep. Byron Donalds and commentator Matt Whitlock, who criticized Garland for what they saw as the weaponization of the DOJ.
Rep. Kevin Hern and Tim Young also chimed in with sharp critiques. Hern accused Garland of causing "irreparable damage" to the justice system, while Young suggested that those DOJ staff who applauded Garland's departure should be fired once Trump resumes office.
Joel Berry, replying to Sean Davis who had suggested identifying and firing every DOJ employee supportive of Garland, said simply: "Just fire all of them. Empty it out completely." These remarks underline the polarized views on Garland’s administration and the DOJ's role during his tenure.
Further criticism came from Jeremy Redfern, who lamented Garland's impact on the DOJ's credibility, placing him unfavorably in historical context against former AG Eric Holder.
This reflects a prevalent view among Garland's detractors who believe his actions severely undermined the integrity of the Department.
The contrasting views on Garland’s departure — from the cheers within the DOJ to the outcry on social media — illustrate the deeply divided perspectives on justice and political leadership in contemporary American politics.
As Garland steps down, the debate over his legacy continues to stir strong emotions and rhetoric from all sides of the political spectrum. While some commend his commitment to the rule of law, others condemn his tenure as a period of political ploys and injustices.