Early Life And Career

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Meet Merrick Garland: The 86th United States Attorney General

Early Life and Career

WEB Merrick Brian Garland was born on November 13, 1952, in Chicago, Illinois. After graduating from Harvard Law School, he began his legal career as a prosecutor in the United States Department of Justice.

Judge on the D.C. Circuit

In 1997, President Bill Clinton nominated Garland to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. He served as a judge on the court for nearly two decades, earning a reputation for fairness and independence.

Nomination to the Supreme Court

In 2016, President Barack Obama nominated Garland to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court left by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. However, the Republican-controlled Senate refused to consider his nomination, leaving the Supreme Court short-handed for over a year.

Attorney General

In 2021, President Joe Biden nominated Garland to be the 86th Attorney General of the United States. He was confirmed by the Senate and sworn into office on March 11, 2021.

As Attorney General, Garland oversees the Department of Justice, which is responsible for enforcing federal laws and representing the government of the United States in legal matters. He is also responsible for investigating and prosecuting violations of federal laws, including crimes related to terrorism, drug trafficking, and fraud.

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