I even saw some ridiculous nonsense this week - some of it fomented by Thom Hartmann - that the DOJ was not acting because Garland had cut a deal with Republicans to be the nominee to replace Breyer should he step down.

The DOJ was gathering facts and making its case to a grand jury - a process done in secret. This isn't a Republican DOJ, which doesn't enforce any laws and can thus say "no" to everything quickly. Actual law enforcement takes a bit of time.