Senators introduce Garland and outline challenges for Justice Department
Judiciary Chairman Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, used his opening statement to cast Garland's nomination as "one of the most critical in department history," after summarizing what he described as corruption and abuses under former President Trump and former Attorney General Bill Barr.
Durbin lauded Garland's record both on the federal bench and his time as a Justice Department prosecutor, while outlining the challenges he will face upon his return to the department. Durbin closed his opening statement by noting that upon his confirmation Garland will be forced to grapple with the Justice Department's sprawling probe of the Jan. 6 insurrection, referencing Trump's role in inciting the mob but stopping short of directly calling on Garland to investigate the former president.
![](https://s.abcnews.com/images/Politics/merrick-garland3-rt-ml-210222_1614006623101_hpMain_4x3_992.jpg)
Ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, used his remarks to preview what will likely be a priority of Republicans over the next two days -- securing commitments from Garland that upon confirmation he will not seek to fire special counsel John Durham, appointed by his predecessor AG Barr to investigate the origins of the Russia probe, and not interfering with the U.S. attorney in Delaware's ongoing investigation of President Biden's son, Hunter Biden. Grassley also indicated they'll press Garland on investigating Biden's family's financial dealings that he sought to investigate along with Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisc., leading up to last year's election.
Garland was formally introduced to the committee by Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md, and Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., who gave glowing remarks summarizing Garland's resume, expressing optimism in how he'll be able to tackle the challenges the department and the country currently faces.
-ABC News' Alexander Mallin