When it comes to Garland, many people, including the news media, ignored these facts.

[kiri]

54. fear of being partisan destroys rule of law

I fear this paean to "scaredness of shadow" is disingenuous. The DOJ is so afraid of being "partisan" that they are paralyzed.

A good leader delegates, delegates to deputy AGs, associate AGs, so the AG does not bear all the burdens alone. There are no signs the AG has done this, except by creating a "go slow, be super cautious" environment.
Remember, the AG has no experience as a manager, ceo, leader, dept head.

Enormous damage was done and continues by Ford's pardoning Nixon. This set the stage for the AG's present timidity and inaction.
The DOJ has not pursued cases of contempt of the subpoenas. 140 days since the referrals from the Jan 6 committee.
The DOJ has not released the unredacted Mueller report.
The DOJ has not put any pressure on Republicans undermining fair elections. Dems keeping quiet is de facto endorsing, enabling.

DOJ is setting the stage for non-prosecuting Trump and his cronies. The AG is OK with SCOTUS breaking precedence, but afraid of DOJ being criticized for re-examining precedents.

Robert Reich, Glenn Kirschner, Jamie Raskin, Paul Krugman, Elizabeth Warren... have all expressed alarm at DOJ's missed opportunities.