Republicans roasted Attorney General Merrick Garland on social media after a video of him doing a victory lap while leaving the Department of Justice became viral.
In the clip, which was posted on Friday via X, a celebratory Garland walked and thanked cheering department staffers while the outgoing AG exited out of the building.
But, in response, prominent critics of Garland blasted the attorney general and his record.
Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) ripped Garland in a fiery X post.
Conservatives grilled Garland on social media following his departure video. C-SPAN“Merrick Garland has left @TheJusticeDept for the FINAL TIME,” Donalds said. “His DOJ attacked political opponents. His DOJ was unprecedentedly weaponized.
“This disgraceful era of brazen political lawfare is FINALLY OVER.”
After being appointed attorney general in 2021, Garland, a longtime federal appeals court judge, found himself continuously in hot water during his four-year tenure.
Merrick Garland has left @TheJusticeDept for the FINAL TIME.
— Byron Donalds (@ByronDonalds) January 18, 2025
His DOJ attacked concerned parents.
His DOJ attacked religious Catholics.
His DOJ attacked political opponents.
His DOJ was unprecedentedly weaponized.
This disgraceful era of brazen political lawfare is FINALLY OVER. pic.twitter.com/AQgZ6lfWEE
Republicans frequently criticized Garland for weaponizing the DOJ for political purposes after he launched an investigation into President-elect Donald Trump’s handling of classified documents in 2022 — a case that was eventually dismissed by a Florida judge two years later in July 2024.
The attorney general even admitted he “personally approved” a raid on Trump’s Mar-a-Lago for the controversial probe.
Critics also roasted Garland for his treatment of Catholics — with Republicans saying the DOJ was “targeting people of faith”
Garland was also interrogated at a congressional hearing over Catholics being allegedly targeted by the FBI. EPAPresident Biden even reportedly said “he should never have picked” Garland as attorney general — with the former appeals court being too aggressive in prosecuting the commander in chief’s son Hunter, according to Bob Woodward’s book “War.”
Prominent conservatives on X went after Garland following his exit from the DOJ — with Republican communications adviser Matt Whitlock ripping the lame-duck attorney general as “one of the greatest disappointments in recent political history.”
“Garland went from Chief on the DC Circuit to lawless political hack for the dark money groups that controlled the Biden White House,” Whitlock said.
One of the greatest disappointments in recent political history.
— Matt Whitlock (@mattdizwhitlock) January 18, 2025
Garland went from Chief on the DC Circuit to lawless political hack for the dark money groups that controlled the Biden White House.
The guy sent the FBI after parents for speaking out at school board meetings. https://t.co/hf3jDTdIMm
“The guy sent the FBI after parents for speaking out at school board meetings.”
Fellow Republican Rep. Kevin Hern (R-Okla) also welcomed Garland’s exit.
“Merrick Garland presided over the wicked weaponization of the federal government against the American people,” Hern said.
Merrick Garland presided over the wicked weaponization of the federal government against the American people.
— Congressman Kevin Hern (@repkevinhern) January 18, 2025
He has caused irreparable damage to the institution.
Good riddance. https://t.co/ffsUowfJ2R
“He has caused irreparable damage to the institution. Good riddance.”
Trump-picked Pam Bondi is set to take over for Garland as attorney general following Senate confirmation.
