Image Credit: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images 
Attorney General Merrick Garland made his first public remarks Wednesday on the Justice Department’s unprecedented federal indictment against former President Donald Trump.
When asked by a reporter when he learned that special counsel Jack Smith was moving toward a criminal indictment, Garland said he couldn’t get into the “particulars” but praised Smith’s “commitment to integrity and the rule of law.”
“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 claimed, flanked by a room of tense-looking officials.
After Trump indictment, AG Garland praises special counsel Jack Smith, but declines to comment on “particulars.”
“He has assembled a group of experienced and talented prosecutors and agents who share his commitment to integrity and the rule of law.” https://t.co/EH7YUuebTB pic.twitter.com/mKu6lRMvnO
— ABC News (@ABC) June 14, 2023
“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.”
“Any questions about this matter will have to be answered by their filings in court,” he added.
When pressed why the DOJ felt the indictment against Trump was the “best and most appropriate step,” Garland again refused to answer to “particulars.”
Attorney General Garland tells @PierreTABC that his role in Trump indictment was “completely consistent with the regulations and set forth responsibilities” under special counsel regulations.
“All comments on this will have to come in filings in court.” https://t.co/V8BzY7SjPc pic.twitter.com/sHUPtAcGYj
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) June 14, 2023
Trump was arraigned in Miami, Florida, Tuesday on a 37-count indictment over allegedly mishandling classified documents.
In contrast to Garland’s defense of his special counsel, the former president characterized Smith as a “raging lunatic” during his rally in Bedminster, New Jersey, on Tuesday and mocked him for trembling while delivering remarks outlining the specifics of the indictment.
“You take a look at this guy, he looks like a thug. But then I watched him make a speech the other day and he was trembling,” Trump said. “Because it wasn’t his territory. He feels much safer in the inner sactum of the Department of Injustice where he can be in his room and scream at people.”
Donald Trump on Jack Smith, the special counsel who indicted him: “You take a look at this guy. He looks like a thug!” pic.twitter.com/hCrujme8L6
— Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) June 14, 2023
Watch the full exchange:
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