Attorney General Merrick Garland made his first public remarks about the indictment of former president Donald Trump, defending the special counsel who pursued criminal charges against him. Garland, however, refrained from providing further details about the prosecution. During a meeting with U.S. attorneys at the Department of Justice, Garland stated, “As you know, I can’t talk about the particulars of this or any other ongoing criminal matter.” This statement came in response to a question about when he first learned about the indictment and criticisms from Trump’s allies accusing the Justice Department of being weaponized.
Garland appointed special counsel Jack Smith because it demonstrated the Justice Department’s commitment to independence and accountability. Smith, a seasoned career prosecutor, has assembled a team of skilled prosecutors and agents who share his dedication to integrity and the rule of law. Garland emphasized that any questions regarding the matter would be addressed through court filings, as the special counsel’s spokesperson declined to comment.
The indictment against Trump consists of 37 counts related to his alleged mishandling of classified records stored at his Florida resort, Mar-a-Lago, after leaving office. Trump pleaded not guilty during his arraignment in federal court in Miami.
Garland clarified that he followed the regulations set forth in the special counsel regulations and had a role in the indictment process consistent with his responsibilities as the attorney general. However, he declined to explain why the federal indictment of a former president was deemed the best and most appropriate step to take.
Garland appointed Jack Smith in November, shortly after Trump announced his intention to run for president in the 2024 election. The attorney general’s goal was to ensure that decisions made by prosecutors were solely guided by facts and the law. Smith is leading the ongoing criminal investigation into the classified documents at Mar-a-Lago and another probe into the events surrounding the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
Despite the indictment, Trump and his defenders have criticized Smith, with Trump referring to him as a “deranged lunatic” during a speech at his golf club in New Jersey.
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