Attorney General Merrick B. Garland delivered remarks at the Elder Justice Coordinating Council on June 12, 2024, marking the first time the Council convened at the Department of Justice.
Garland provided a brief history of the venue, noting its dedication in 1934 with President Roosevelt in attendance and its subsequent renovation during the Clinton and Bush administrations. He highlighted that the building was rededicated in 2001 as the Robert F. Kennedy Building.
Reflecting on changes over time, Garland stated, "But times have changed, and the Department has changed along with them." He emphasized that elder justice is an area requiring adaptation due to evolving challenges such as artificial intelligence.
Garland acknowledged that millions of older adults experience various forms of abuse annually. "We know that the vast majority of elder abuse cases go unreported. And that too many victims remain unseen," he said. The Department has targeted perpetrators aggressively while supporting victims, pursuing over 1,500 criminal and civil cases in five years and providing services to more than 1.5 million older victims.
The Elder Justice Coordinating Council plays a critical role in these efforts by facilitating information sharing and coordination among federal agencies. This collaboration has enhanced initiatives like the Justice Department’s mass mailing fraud prevention program and the Social Security Administration’s Slam the Scam Day awareness campaign.
In February, with support from the Council, the Justice Department held its Inaugural National Elder Justice Law Enforcement Summit to foster collaboration among local, state, and federal law enforcement and elder justice professionals.
Garland concluded by stressing the importance of partnerships in addressing evolving threats such as transnational fraud schemes and advancements in AI. "I am confident that this Council will continue to meet the challenges and advance the cause of elder justice — just as it has done for more than 10 years," he said.