One Republican senator has a proposal that could give the Department of Justice under Attorney General Merrick Garland pause regarding politically motivated prosecutions.
In a Tuesday video statement, Sen. J.D. Vance vowed to obstruct President Joe Biden’s nominations for personnel at the DOJ.
“I will hold all DoJ nominees,” Vance said of the plan.
Vance announced the strategy on the day former President Donald Trump appeared in federal court in Miami for an arraignment hearing.
Until Merrick Garland stops using his agency to harass Joe Biden’s political opponents, I will hold all DoJ nominees. pic.twitter.com/UVRwi6Ue01
— J.D. Vance (@JDVance1) June 13, 2023
“It’s time we stopped just whining about this problem and debating this problem and actually do something about it.”
“I’ve announced today that I will be holding all Department of Justice nominees that Merrick Garland will use, if confirmed, not to enforce the law impartially… but clearly to harass his political opponents.”
“I think we have to grind this department to a halt until Merrick Garland promises to do his job and stop going after his political opponents.”
In his announcement, Garland criticized the Justice Department’s increasing propensity to prosecute Democratic Party opponents.
“Donald Trump is just one, and the most recent example of the fact that Merrick Garland uses his Department for political purposes.”
Vance’s proposal would not completely freeze new Justice Department confirmations.
According to The Columbus Dispatch, if Vance’s proposal is implemented, DOJ nominees would have to be confirmed by floor ballots rather than by unanimous consent.
Democrats hold a narrow majority of 50 seats and the vice president in the Senate, but their absences could imperil the entire confirmation of nominees.
The proposal would temporarily deny the Justice Department new federal prosecutors.
Vance will make an exception for nominees from the United States Marshals Service.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican, tweeted her support for Vance’s proposal following the announcement.
Yes @JDVance1!
Thank you!Action is the only way forward.
Stop the weaponized government and hold them accountable! https://t.co/9BNnbVXlQW— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) June 13, 2023