In his first public remarks since former President Donald Trump’s second criminal indictment, Attorney General Merrick Garland defended special counsel Jack Smith — along with his own role in the classified documents case.
“My role is completely consistent with the regulations that set forth the responsibilities of the attorney general under the special counsel regulations, and I followed those regulations,” Garland said on Wednesday.
The attorney general, who appointed Smith in November to oversee the Justice Department’s investigations into the 77-year-old former president’s handling of classified White House documents and his actions during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol Building, refused to comment on the “particulars” of Trump’s federal indictment.
Garland, however, staunchly defended the special counsel’s “integrity” and “independence” during his brief remarks Wednesday.
“As I said when I appointed Mr. Smith, I did so because it underscores the Justice Department’s commitment to both independence and accountability,” Garland said. “Mr. Smith is a veteran career prosecutor. He has assembled a group of experienced and talented prosecutors and agents who share his commitment to integrity and the rule of law.”
The former president pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to 37 felony counts related to his alleged mishandling and concealment of highly sensitive national security documents upon leaving office in January of 2021.
Among the charges Trump is accused of are willful retention of national defense information, conspiracy to obstruct justice, withholding a document or record, corruptly concealing a document or record, and concealing a document in a federal investigation.
The attorney general would not say when he learned of Smith’s decision to charge Trump or why he chose not to block the special counsel’s decision – despite having the authority to do so. Garland indicated that “any questions about this matter will have to be answered by their filings in court.”
Trump has viciously attacked Smith and the Justice Department throughout the classified documents investigation.
Following his arraignment Tuesday, Trump called Smith “a thug” and nicknamed him “Deranged Jack Smith.”
“He’s a behind-the-scenes guy, but his record is absolutely atrocious. He does political hit jobs,” Trump alleged during a speech to supporters from his Bedminster, N.J., golf club.