Why hasn't Merrick Garland been confirmed yet?

[kentuck]

One might think the Attorney General would be one of the most important positions in government, next to the national defense?

When he is confirmed, what should he do about the "Donald Trump" problem?

Should the Justice Department file charges against him?

Is that something Merrick Garland might do?

It would be such great reality TV.

[leftieNanner]

1. He turned in his paperwork to the Judiciary Committee yesterday

They will likely schedule hearings next week. Confirmation probably within 10 days (my estimate).

We needed him yesterday, though. He has a lot of work to do. It will be interesting to see what he does about the former WH occupant.

[Joinfortmill]

2. Here's a link to some info on the Garland confirmation

https://www.rollcall.com/2021/01/28/garland-moves-down-path-to-attorney-general-confirmation-hearing/

[msongs]

3. maybe waiting for the day dems actually control all senate committees...some day nt

[dutch777]

4. As of yesterday, a date for the confirmation hearing has not even been set.

He will be in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee which will then be chaired by Dick Durbin. I don't know that the reins have been officially handed from Lindsey Graham to Durbin which is ridiculous and, as you note, that this is a really important position and especially now.

As to the D. Trump problem, I suspect that will get due attention from DOJ but will not be done in haste. And by then I hope the charges will have landed from NYC and NY state as well. I would be surprised if Judge Garland is not questioned by Repubs in the Judiciary hearing about the Donnie question although may be in some obsequious way.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

5. The DoJ is still going about its business.

Garland's committee hearing hasn't occurred yet, but he's likely to be confirmed within the next week or ten days, unless the GOP pulls some bullshit. What he does about the Trump problem will depend on what any investigations turn up, but it is important that any prosecution does not appear to be politically-motivated - so if there are any federal charges they probably should come out of an independent counsel investigation and not directly from Garland's office. Better yet, the first prosecutions should be under NY state law by the Manhattan D.A's office, which has been investigating the Trump businesses for some time. That way there will no federal involvement until the DoJ has all the goods on him.

[PJMcK]

6. Merrick Garland is a brilliant choice for Attorney General

He was shafted by McConnell and this is President Biden's way of telling McConnell to go fuck himself. There's almost no way Judge Garland could be denied confirmation.

Republicans are one of the following:
A) Evil
B) Stupid
C) Insane
D) Hypocrites
E) All of the above

[Hermit-The-Prog]

7. The Radical Republican Reich, formerly the Republican Party, has delayed every step of transition.