White House Frustration with Garland Grows Over Special Counsel Report

White House Frustration with Attorney General Merrick Garland

President Biden and his closest advisers are expressing growing frustration with Attorney General Merrick Garland, primarily regarding his handling of a special counsel report alleging that the president had diminished mental faculties. The report, authored by special counsel Robert Hur, ultimately cleared Biden of any charges related to the handling of classified documents found at his think tank and home. However, the report's explanation for not bringing charges has stirred White House displeasure, with Biden and his aides believing Hur's descriptions of the president's memory were gratuitous and misleading. This dissatisfaction has led to questioning Garland's oversight and decision-making.

White House Discontent

President Biden, along with his inner circle, is dissatisfied with Garland's actions, questioning the necessity of appointing a special counsel and feeling that Garland should have demanded edits to Hur's report, particularly concerning the descriptions of the president's memory. While Biden has not publicly commented on Garland's future, most of the president's senior advisers do not anticipate Garland remaining in his post for a potential second term. Frustrations with Garland have been steadily increasing, exacerbated by previous concerns expressed by Biden regarding the duration of the probe into his son, Hunter Biden, as well as Garland's decisions related to former President Donald Trump's election interference investigation.

Garland's Defense

In response to the growing criticisms directed at Garland, a former senior Justice Department official suggested that frustrations should be directed towards the White House, pointing out that the president's team could have exerted executive privilege over elements of Hur's report but chose not to do so. The official also highlighted that Garland's decision to appoint a special counsel in the classified documents case was influenced by the White House's evolving narrative at the case's outset, which complicated the Justice Department's handling of the situation.

Challenges and Criticisms

While Garland has made progress in various areas, including initiatives aligned with Biden's priorities and efforts to address violent crime, his handling of politically charged cases has drawn criticism from Democrats. The appointment of Robert Hur, a Trump-appointed U.S. attorney, to oversee the classified documents case has sparked controversy, with some Democrats openly expressing their disapproval of Garland's conduct and raising concerns about the potential repercussions of his tenure as attorney general.

Biden's Approach

Despite the mounting dissatisfaction with Garland's decisions, President Biden has refrained from publicly criticizing the attorney general, choosing to keep his frustrations private. In a press conference, Biden publicly admonished Hur for certain remarks but did not mention Garland. Meanwhile, Senate Democrats have avoided commenting on Garland's tenure, reflecting the sensitivity of the situation.

Ongoing Tensions

As tensions between the White House and the Department of Justice persist, external Democrats are openly expressing their disapproval of Garland's conduct, fearing that his appointment as attorney general could have detrimental consequences for Biden. The concerns raised by various Democratic figures underscore the significant impact of Garland's decisions on the administration's standing and the potential implications for the country.

In summary, the growing frustration within the White House towards Attorney General Merrick Garland underscores the challenges and controversies surrounding his handling of politically sensitive cases, raising questions about the implications for the Biden administration's future.