Attorney General Merrick B. Garland addressed the Department of Justice (DOJ) workforce on September 12, 2024, emphasizing the importance of an independent justice system. Speaking at the closing session of the 85th annual U.S. Attorneys’ conference, Garland highlighted the dedication and sacrifices made by over 115,000 DOJ employees.
Garland expressed gratitude to U.S. Attorney Dawn Ison for her leadership and acknowledged the challenging work performed by DOJ personnel across various domains, including crime prevention, hate crimes response, environmental protection, and safeguarding democratic processes.
Reflecting on historical principles set forth by former Attorney General Robert Jackson in his speech "The Federal Prosecutor," Garland underscored values such as fairness, impartiality, and humility that guide federal prosecutors. He also referenced policies established post-Watergate to protect DOJ's independence from partisan influence.
Garland detailed steps taken during his tenure to reinforce these norms, including regulating contacts between DOJ personnel and political entities, strengthening FBI investigation guidelines, ensuring compliance with surveillance laws, protecting press freedom in investigations, and guiding prosecutorial discretion.
He condemned recent attacks on DOJ employees through conspiracy theories and threats of violence but praised their resilience. Garland reiterated his commitment to defending the department’s integrity and maintaining its independence from political interference.
In conclusion, Garland emphasized that the rule of law is foundational to democracy and relies on dedicated public servants within the DOJ. He affirmed his belief in their capability to uphold these principles amidst contemporary challenges.
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