After a tumultuous confirmation process, President Biden’s pick for attorney general, Merrick Garland, has decided not to return to Congress for a second round of questioning. Garland, a federal judge, was originally nominated by President Obama for a seat on the Supreme Court, but his nomination was blocked by Senate Republicans.
Garland’s decision to withdraw from consideration for attorney general comes after a contentious hearing in which he faced tough questions from both Democrats and Republicans. Many lawmakers had concerns about Garland’s past rulings on criminal justice issues, as well as his views on executive power and the role of the Justice Department.
In a statement released by his office, Garland cited the “deeply polarized” nature of the confirmation process as the primary reason for his decision not to return to Congress. He expressed his disappointment that the process had become so politicized and divisive, and said that he did not want to further contribute to the partisan rancor that has come to define Washington politics in recent years.
While Garland’s decision to withdraw may come as a surprise to some, it is not uncommon for nominees to step back from consideration in the face of intense scrutiny and opposition. In recent years, several high-profile nominees, including Neera Tanden for director of the Office of Management and Budget and Andrew Puzder for secretary of labor, have withdrawn their nominations after facing significant pushback from lawmakers.
In the wake of Garland’s withdrawal, President Biden will now have to choose a new nominee for attorney general. Given the contentious nature of the confirmation process, Biden will likely face pressure to select a nominee who can garner bipartisan support and navigate the challenges of a divided Congress.
Despite the setback, Garland remains a respected jurist with a long and distinguished career in public service. While he may not be serving as attorney general, his decision to withdraw from consideration reflects his commitment to upholding the rule of law and his reluctance to engage in the partisan battles that have come to define Washington politics.