News

Senate Confirms Merrick Garland As Attorney General 70-30

The Senate confirmed Merrick Garland as U.S. attorney general Wednesday in a final vote of 70-30. Garland’s confirmation is a turning point for the Justice Department and has seen bipartisan praise despite the thirty GOP nay votes.

Garland served in the U.S. Court of Appeals in the District of Columbia Circuit and pledged that he will “fend off any effort by anyone” to sway a Justice Department investigation with partisan influence. Garland has committed that his first priory as AG is to fully prosecute the rioters from the January 6 Capitol insurrection. During the first day of the Senate hearing for Garland’s nomination, the judge offered a story about his personal connection to the Justice Department. “I come from a family where my grandparents fled Antisemitism and persecution,” Garland told Sen. Cory Booker (D-New Jersey). “The country took us in and protected us. I feel an obligation to the country to pay back.”

“America can breathe a sigh of relief that we are finally going to have someone like Merrick Garland leading the Justice Department,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York). He called Garland “someone with integrity, independence, respect for the rule of law and credibility on both sides of the aisle.”

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) voted in favor of Garland’s confirmation. When Garland was nominated to the Supreme Court in 2015, McConnell was the sole roadblock that denied the judge a vote in the Senate. Now, McConnell said he voted in favor of Garland “because of his long reputation as a straight-shooter and legal expert.”

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of political news in your in-box.
We find the news you need to know, so you don't have to.

Brandon Mumei

Share
Published by
Brandon Mumei

Recent Posts

Trump Urges Iran To Agree To Nuclear Deal Following Devastating Israeli Attacks

President Donald Trump issued a statement urging Iran to accept a nuclear deal to prevent…

18 hours ago

‘No Kings Day’ Protests Draw Large Crowds Across Major U.S. Cities, With Some Violence Reported

On Saturday, demonstrators across the U.S. participated in organized “No Kings Day” protests, which aimed…

18 hours ago

David Hogg To Leave DNC After Messy Feud With Democratic Party Leadership

Political activist David Hogg is leaving the Democratic National Committee after announcing he won’t run…

18 hours ago

Trump Orders ICE To Expand Deportation Efforts In Cities Led By Democrats

On Sunday, President Donald Trump ordered Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to expand deportation efforts…

18 hours ago

Trump Says Removing Russia From G7 Was ‘A Mistake’

In a meeting with Group of Seven (G7) leaders held on Monday, President Donald Trump…

18 hours ago

After Supreme Court Allows Maryland’s Semi-Automatic Rifle Ban To Stand, Gun Control Advocates Wonder For How Long

The Supreme Court announced that it would not grant a hearing to a Second Amendment…

2 days ago