President Biden’s choice for U.S. Attorney General, Merrick Garland, is amidst his confirmation hearing and Republicans are demanding answers. During Garland’s hearing, Republicans pressed the nominee if he would commit to allowing special counsel John Durham to successfully continue his probe throughout the Biden administration.
Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Chuck Grassley, grilled Garland on if he would try and end the Trump-Russia origin probe. Garland replied that he saw no reason that the Durham investigation should not continue but was careful not to give a concrete answer.
Fox News reports:
“Will you commit to providing Special Counsel Durham with staff, resources and funds needed to thoroughly complete his investigation?” Grassley asked.
“I understand that he has been permitted to remain in this position and sitting here today, I have no reason to think that was not the correct decision,” Garland said, adding that he does “have to have an opportunity to talk with” Durham.
Grassley pressed Garland again, this time, on whether he would commit to allowing Durham’s report to be made public.
“I am a great believer in transparency. I would, though, have to talk with Durham and understand the nature of what he’s been doing and the nature of his report,” Garland said.
During his confirmation hearing, Garland was also pressed on the subject of Hunter Biden who is currently under federal investigation for his tax affairs. Republicans asked if Garland has engaged in any conversations regarding the investigation with the President. President Biden’s press secretary, Jen Psaki has previously made comments saying that Biden would not discuss the investigation with anyone he would consider for attorney general.
According to Fox News:
“I have not,” Garland said, adding that President Biden “has made abundantly clear” in his public statements “before and after my nomination” that decisions about prosecutions would be left to the Justice Department.
“That was the reason that I was willing to take on this job,” Garland said. “So the answer is no.”
Hunter Biden confirmed that he was under federal investigation for his “tax affairs” in December. The investigation is being led out of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Delaware.
A well-placed government source told Fox News that Hunter Biden is a subject/target of the grand jury investigation. According to the source, a “target” means that there is a “high probability that person committed a crime,” while a “subject” is someone you “don’t know for sure” has committed a crime.
Despite a tough confirmation hearing, Garland is expected to be confirmed as Biden’s pick for attorney general.
