Snubbed No More: Notable D.C. Judge Nominated for U.S. Attorney General
DOJ Appointments Lauded by Some Groups, Others Are Skeptical Sarafina Wright WI Contributing Writer President-elect Joe Biden has nominated Merrick Garland, Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, as the next Attorney General. During the announcement last week, Biden lauded Garland as “one of the most respected jurists of our time.” “Brilliant yet humble. Distinguished yet modest. Full of character and decency,” Biden added. “Those same traits he will now bring to the Attorney General of the Unites States. Not as a personal attorney to the president, but as the people’s lawyer. He’ll restore trust in the rule of law… and I fully expect that he’ll receive a fair and swift confirmation.” “Once he’s confirmed I will move promptly to nominate his replacement on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals and I fully expect the distinguished nominee will receive a prompt and fair hearing as well.” This nomination comes almost five years after former President Barack Obama nominated Garland to the Supreme Court following the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. The Senate Judiciary Committee, who held a Republican majority, did not hold a confirmation hearing for Garland’s nomination. Senate Majority Leader Mitchell McConnell (R-Ky.) said the incoming president should fill the vacancy because it was Obama’s last year in office. After 293 days Garland’s nomination expired resulting in an unprecedented situation — for the first time since the 19th century a Supreme Court nominee didn’t receive consideration. Garland says reentering the justice department as the top lawyer will be a homecoming for him. Throughout his career he’s held numerous roles at the department from U.S. attorney, to criminal division supervisor and senior official in the office of the Deputy Attorney General. He served in the Carter and Bush administrations and was nominated by President Clinton to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals where he has served since 1997. Garland touted his career during the announcement highlighting that he’s
5 Merrick Garland (Courtesy photo)
worked on every issue in the department from civil rights and antitrust to domestic terrorism and national security. The nominee said he would run the department with fair democracy in mind taking inspiration from former attorneys general. “The essence of the rule of law is that like cases are treated alike. That there not be one rule for Democrats and another for Republicans. One rule for friends, another for foes, one rule for the powerful, another for the powerless. One rule for the rich and another for the poor or different rules depending upon one’s race and ethnicity. “To serve as Attorney General at this critical time…I am honored and eager to answer,” Garland said. Biden also made other notable justice department appointments with Lisa Monaco as deputy attorney general, Vanita Gupta as associate attorney general and Kristen Clarke as assistant attorney general for civil rights. Advocacy groups like The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights applauded Biden’s selections to lead the nation’s highest branch of law enforcement. “With Garland, Monaco, Gupta, and Clarke at the helm, the department can work to ensure police accountability, fairness in sentencing, enforcement of hate crimes laws, and educational equity, as well as protect the rights of Black and brown communities, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals, and religious minorities,” LaShawn Warren, executive vice president of government affairs at The Leadership Conference said. Al Sharpton, civil rights leader and founder of the National Action Net-
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Shocked but Not Surprised Aimee D. Griffin, Esq
I was prepared to write an article about the joy of ending 2020 and starting fresh in 2021. I was ready to write about setting new goals of excellence and fortitude. I was thrilled about my new commitment to intentionality and creating a vision that enforces and inspires the actions and movements for the new year. I was relieved that the end of 2020 was at hand. I was thankful that we were getting through to the end of the sequestration and quarantining due toCOVID-19, thanks to the initiation of vaccinations. I was thankful that we could imagine an end to the mask wearing. I was happily planning my November birthday trip. I was celebrating the new Administration that is inspiring new possibilities and hope. I was elated when Georgia reinforced that this was a new day. BUT THEN! Then, the unbelievable began to unfold before my eyes. I was at work and began getting text messages from loved ones who were not sure where I was physically located and if I was at risk. The “surreal” nightmare that took place on January 6, 2021 brought to mind that we must always be thoughtful and be prepared. We must be hopeful and excited but we must anticipate and be ready. If 2020 has taught us anything it is that we have no way of anticipating what is going to happen tomorrow. There are so many of us who have lost loved ones or got sick this year, that we should have learned that tomorrow is indeed not promised or scripted. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring. I am still hopeful and excited about the future but let’s get our houses in order to be prepared. 2020 helped me to think about “JIT”, Just In Time thinking; it just doesn’t work. We should always have the staples in life to get through if we have the resources. We should not have to run to the store for food to get through the next few days as we see with snow storms, or stock up on toilet paper for the next six months denying our brother and sister their ability to be sustained for the week. We should have cash on hand for necessities. We should approach the possibility of expected and unexpected events with a plan and steady preparation, not while panicked in response to a crisis as it unfoldss. We should be strategic and considerate. If we move into crisis mode we are focused on survival and forget about our brothers and sisters and community. We know that life and death are a part of life. We know that sickness and incapacitation happens. When we don’t plan, those we love are impacted. We forget that together we are better. The theme for this year is intentionality. Without thoughtfulness, we are by default letting life happen. With thoughtfulness, we are living each day with purpose. I am blessed to have the opportunity to sit with individuals and families who are committed to strategically planning and building their legacy with purpose. They are not willing to let whatever happens happen. They are seeking to build their future with intentionality. This week has been one where actions and reactions have been shocking. But if we had been paying attention we should not have been surprised. The actions, the words, the energy has been consistent with what has gone on before. I am intentionally being mindful of what is happening around me and intentionally choosing the path to peace that passes all understanding and joy unspeakable. The Griffin Firm, PLLC www.yourestateplanningattorney.com (202)379-4738 5335 Wisconsin Ave NW, Suite 440, Washington DC 20015 1401 Mercantile Lane , Suite 383, Upper Marlboro MD 20774 100 International Drive, 23rd Floor, Baltimore MD 21202 1100 Peachtree ST NE, Suite 200, Atlanta GA 30309 2530 Meridian Parkway, Suite 300, Durham NC 27713 work says while he too applauds the new leadership coming to the department, he has some trepidation towards Garland. “I would have still preferred a Black Attorney General nominee or someone with a clear record on voting rights and police reform, particularly at this day and time,” Sharpton said. I’m unclear on Judge Garland’s record on both and there are very few, if any, written arguments that he has as a Judge to track these positions.” “I therefore think that he should
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immediately meet with the civil rights leadership that has met with President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris to discuss things like enforcement of voting rights and police accountability as well as pending legislation with both.” Sharpton says despite his reservations, Garland’s nomination is a clear message to Republicans who stopped his appointment to the Supreme Court. “This is a thumb in the eye to Mitch McConnell, the former majority leader
of the Senate,” he said. “I am nonetheless excited about the nomination of Vanita Gupta as associate attorney general and Kristen Clarke to head up the civil rights division.” “The potential of them in the Justice Department gives me some cause to feel that this Justice Department will at least be a radical change from the four years of anti-civil rights, anti-voting-rights and anti-police reform of the outgoing administration.” WI
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