Attorney General Merrick Garland to Testify Before Senate Judiciary Committee, Outlining Justice Department Priorities and Accomplishments

Attorney General Merrick Garland is set to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, his first time facing the new 118th Congress. According to a Department of Justice spokesperson, Garland is expected to tout the Justice Department’s accomplishments over the past year and outline three priorities: upholding the rule of law, maintaining national security and protecting civil rights.

Garland is also expected to highlight the department’s work combating the rise of violent crime and hate crimes, working with Ukraine against Russia’s brutal invasion and protecting reproductive freedom after the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. He will also defend the work of department employees in his opening remarks.

The Attorney General’s testimony is likely to cover a wide range of topics, from the two recently appointed special counsels to reproductive rights to school board meetings. Garland will also likely be asked to explain the Justice Department’s stance on a variety of issues, including civil rights, immigration, and gun control.

The hearing is expected to last several hours, with Garland answering questions from both Democratic and Republican senators. It will be the first time Garland has testified before Congress since his confirmation as Attorney General in March 2021. The testimony will be streamed live on the Senate Judiciary Committee’s website.