Where is our DOJ?

[gab13by13]

I have to keep after this because; face the truth, the select committee can only go so far, can only do so much and it can be stone walled, DOJ has the clout. This is what I am talking about, why wasn't this done the day after Garland was confirmed to find out the origins of a coup against our government. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, Barr did it to look into the origins of the Trump/Russia investigation.

I am of the stubborn opinion that unless our DOJ acts independently into investigating the origins and money behind the coup, nothing meaningful will come of the House investigation. A person cannot stonewall to appear before a grand jury.

I'm talking about the authority our AG has right now, without referrals from the select committee. It's not like our democracy is depending on it.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General William Barr has given extra protection to the prosecutor he appointed to investigate the origins of the Trump-Russia probe, granting him authority to complete the work without being easily fired.

Barr told The Associated Press on Tuesday that he had appointed U.S. Attorney John Durham as a special counsel in October under the same federal regulations that governed special counsel Robert Mueller in the original Russia probe. He said Durham’s investigation has been narrowing to focus more on the conduct of FBI agents who worked on the Russia investigation, known by the code name of Crossfire Hurricane.

Fucking Barr did it just to cover for Trump. Garland can do the same to save our democracy.

I am just an internet lawyer, someone explain to me why this isn't happening now?

[MineralMan]

1. Where Is the DOJ?

Right inside the building pictured below. Anything anyone says about what it is doing, however, is just guesswork.

[lagomorph777]

2. I stood a few feet to the left of those tourists on Fitzmas, waiting for the big reveal.

Nothing happened.

It looks like the same is happening now.

[gab13by13]

3. With all due respect,

that's the Donald Rumsfeld defense of Garland. We don't know what Garland is doing, we don't know what Garland isn't doing, we don't know what we don't know is going on in that building.

Isn't it time to know?

[FSogol]

4. Exactly, Garland should spend all his time on news-talk TV shows detailing all his plans for

the entertainment of the easily bored. Then grandstanding boobs like Joe Scarborough could complain and nitpick! If he isn't on TV 24/7, then he isn't doing anything!

[MineralMan]

6. Well, I think there should be a live streaming web camera in Garland's office.

That way, we could all sit and watch things happen in real time. Wouldn't that be great?

[FSogol]

7. Maybe he should have to wear a bodycam?

[MineralMan]

19. Well, that would be interesting to watch, for sure.

As I said in another reply, there are many people who would like an inside view of what AG Garland is talking about and doing. I'd watch that regularly. So would those being investigated, I'm certain.

[gab13by13]

8. That's a long bridge you just constructed,

from Garland announcing a special prosecutor to look into the origins of an attack on our democracy to Garland going on Morning Joe.

You are aware that the #1 tactic of the Trump cult is to delay? It will be Kornacki time before we know it.

[MineralMan]

21. Trump no longer has any influence on the DOJ.

He is not in any position to delay anything, except in the courts. He is also not in a position to know what is going on in that building any longer. That is a good thing, and is part of the reason that plans and progress of investigations are not published. The first principle of an investigation is not to let the person being investigated know what you're doing.

Of course, keeping that information unknown also means that the public doesn't get informed, either, of such information. There is no other way, really.

We are all impatient. However, some of us also understand the reason for our not knowing some things. What you and I know, everyone knows.

[Mister Ed]

30. At least we would hope Trump no longer has influence on the DOJ, or knowledge of goings-on there.

We do know that Trump worked hard to pack government positions with Trump loyalists. Many may still be there at the DOJ. That's one more strong reason for Garland's DOJ to be circumspect and secretive about investigations and potential prosecutions.

[MineralMan]

5. You believe that it is your right to know the DOJ's plans?

Why is that? I'm curious about what the DOJ is up to, myself. However, I also realize that investigations are often not discussed until their completion and when action is taken.

You know who can ask AG Garland what is going on? Joe Biden can ask him, and no doubt has asked and has received answers to his questions. You and I? We have no reason to expect to be informed of what the DOJ is doing in its investigations. There are good reasons to keep progress from public view. You can probably think of some of those reasons.

I'm impatient, too, but I also realize what the realities are and do not expect to be regularly informed about what the DOJ is doing and its progress in its investigations.

[gab13by13]

12. With all due respect,

I never said I want to know DOJ's plans, I want to know if it has any plans?

Here's my problem, I understand that our democracy is hanging on by a thread. I understand what the Trump cult strategy is, to delay.

This is why I have a nervous breakdown when I hear people say to be patient, being patient is the Trump cult strategy.

No one answered my original question. Why can't Garland do what Barr did? Garland saying that he has appointed a special prosecutor to look into the origins of an attack on our Capitol is not giving away any secrets of what DOJ is doing, it is telling impatient people like me that DOJ is doing something.

[MineralMan]

14. You keep saying, "With all due respect..."

Generally, that statement indicates that the person making it does not have such respect.

We are all impatient to learn what the DOJ is up to. Many people would like to have that information, particularly those who are being investigated for something. For people with a strong interest in the doings of the DOJ, that department maintains a web page where all available public information is released each day. By visiting the DOJ website, you can track the Department's activities on your own schedule.

On most days, the DOJ issues press releases regarding charges filed, etc. Information on the status of investigations also sometimes appears in those releases. Here's the media page for the DOJ. It's arranged chronologically, with the most recent releases at the top of the page. You might want to check it every day:

https://www.justice.gov/news

By doing that, you will be better informed. Many of the press releases don't get covered by the news media. However, you can read that news for yourself from the original source. It's very interesting. Every such federal government agency maintains a similar page. I suggest that you can relieve some of your anxiety by visiting those pages regularly.

[gab13by13]

18. I will stop doing that,

that was not my intention. There are too many people here who alert on other people just because of a difference of opinion. I don't feel that you are that type of person, I always click on your posts because I respect your opinions. I guess I got into a bad habit and I will discontinue it.

[MineralMan]

9. Here Is a Source for DOJ Public Information

It is the Office of Public Affairs at the DOJ. At the site, you can find daily press releases and other information. There is also contact information at that site:

https://www.justice.gov/opa

[gab13by13]

13. You are doing the apples and oranges thing.

Why doesn't Garland appoint a special prosecutor like Barr did? That was my original question. That won't give away any dark secrets of what DOJ is actually doing.

[MineralMan]

16. I do not have an answer for that question.

I'm not in the DOJ, so I don't know why a special prosecutor has not been appointed.

[BlueJac]

10. The lack of urgency to find the truth is worrisome!

The insurrection must have consequences to all involved! Time is wasting away. No wonder everyone is asking where is Garland and the DOJ?

[triron]

11. It's alarming.

[gab13by13]

15. For us not to be alarmed

is what the Trump cult wants. What the hell is wrong with people like me pushing our DOJ to act? If DOJ is already acting in secret then my worry is a moot point, meaningless, but if DOJ isn't acting behind the scenes we are truly fucked. I actually played baseball against Sparky Lyle before he went up to the majors. I was a poor hitter, my excuse was that I was a pitcher. When I batted against Sparky I took my 3 swings with the hope that he may accidently hit my bat with a pitch. I know one thing for certain, if I just stood there with the bat on my shoulder I wasn't going to get a hit.

[Fiendish Thingy]

28. Justice cannot be compared to baseball.

Unless, after striking you out, Sparky Lyle went on to commit numerous felonies, including attempting to overthrow the government, and would have been stopped if you had just gotten a base hit.

[LenaBaby61]

17. I'm pretty sure you know who Glenn Kirschner is ....

He has a very successful show on Youtube which I watch daily, and he's also hoping like hell that Merrick Garland (A person he holds in high regard) holds tRump accountable for all of his crimes, because if he doesn't.

[Fiendish Thingy]

20. Should the DOJ abandon due process and just round up everyone you point a finger at?

Yes, the architects of Trump’s coup should be interrogated and indicted, and the select committee’s struggles with subpoenas may be delaying any independent prosecution by the DOJ, but to let impatience be the driver of the process is a recipe for either a failed prosecution or fascism when the GOP regains power, or both.

[gab13by13]

24. I am not a lawyer,

why does our DOJ have to wait for referrals from the select committee before doing its own investigations?

[Fiendish Thingy]

27. I highly recommend emptywheel.net for non-lawyers seeking info on January 6 from lawyers

Great legal analysis and reporting on that site.

DOJ is investigating and prosecuting the insurrectionists. I agree that a grand jury should be convened regarding the Trump administration’s coup architects, and hopefully will be as the congressional investigation unfolds. Again, rushing to indict could result in failed prosecutions.

The current DOJ is impacted by Trump loyalists who were “burrowed” in as career service workers in the waning days of the Trump administration. Hopefully, that issue will be addressed in the coming months as well.

[gab13by13]

29. Do you feel that prosecutors

should be seeking stiffer sentences? It is dismaying to me when I see 2 judges admonish prosecutors for not seeking stiffer sentences.

An attempted coup on our democracy is as serious as I will ever see in my lifetime, and I agree we need to proceed with care, but once an insurrectionist is indicted and convicted, let's not just slap him/her on the wrist.

[Fiendish Thingy]

32. In some cases yes, others no - IIRC, only one felony charge has been sentenced at this point

The charges the judge increased were for misdemeanour trespassing charges, where prosecutors recommended probation, and the judge gave 14-45 days in jail, IIRC.

I’m not worried so much about mild sentences, as much as I am worried that mild sentence recommendations being made by Trump supporting DOJ attorneys burrowed into DOJ.

[SoCalDavidS]

22. Nothing Is Going To Happen

I realize that runs 90 degrees counter to what many here tend to believe, but until I see ANY consequences suffered, I will wholeheartedly hold onto that view.

Oh, we may get some action, but in the end, the result will be more delays, and more waiting for accountability.

[CrispyQ]

26. Merry Fitzmas!

I tend to agree that this will be a replay of Fitzgerald & Mueller.

[mcar]

23. Working. Nt

[Poiuyt]

25. I think Garland is doing everything in his power to NOT look political

and he's taking it to the extreme

Unfortunately, I don't believe anything will come of any of these investigations. Trump will skate like he always does. I think the best we can hope for is for the historians to figure things out for the next generation of school kids.

[kentuck]

31. Better yet.

Why doesn't the AG just appoint a Special Counsel?

They seem to have unlimited authority.

[gab13by13]

33. You mean like AG Barr did

when he appointed John Durham? Yeah, why doesn't he? Even if the GQP retakes the House a special prosecutor can be protected to finish his investigation. It seems to me it would be a safety valve.

[brooklynite]

34. Well, I spoke to AG Garland yesterday and he said....

...no, actually he didn't say anything to me. Or to you. Or to Rachel Maddow. Or to anyone else.

Prosecutors and Attorney's General don't share every step in their investigations and prosecutions with the public. In part because that's a distraction from doing their jobs. And in part because they don't want to share what their doing with prospective defendants.

More importantly, prosecutors and Attorney's General don't rush to indictment and trial because bloggers are impatient and "know they're guilty".

Criminal Justice takes time. Suck it up and wait.