Key takeaways:
- Garland declined to comment on the details of the case, but said that the special counsel he appointed, Jack Smith, was highly qualified and had assembled a team of veteran career prosecutors and agents to examine the facts of the case.
- Garland said that Smith’s appointment underscored the Justice Department’s commitment to independence and accountability.
- Garland has been vocal about his commitment to tackling violent crime and restoring the public’s trust in the Justice Department.
Garland was speaking to reporters at an event about tackling violent crime when he was asked about the indictment of former President Donald Trump. He declined to comment on the details of the case, but said that the special counsel he appointed, Jack Smith, was highly qualified and had assembled a team of veteran career prosecutors and agents to examine the facts of the case.
Garland said that Smith’s appointment underscored the Justice Department’s commitment to independence and accountability. He added that Smith was limited in his role in the process, as outlined in Justice Department regulations.
This is the first public comment Garland has made on the historic indictment of the former president. Trump is the first president in U.S. history to be arrested while in office. The charges against him are still unclear, but the indictment is believed to be related to the Capitol riots on January 6th.
Garland has been Attorney General since March, when he was appointed by President Joe Biden. He has been vocal about his commitment to tackling violent crime and restoring the public’s trust in the Justice Department.
The Justice Department has not yet released any further information about the case against Trump. It is unclear when the trial will begin or what the outcome will be.
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