Earlier this week, Merrick Garlin faced a confirmation hearing in the Senate as President Biden's

pick for Attorney General.

If he gets confirmed, Garlin says the first thing on his agenda will be taking on the investigation

into the January 6th Capitol riot.

It's a widespread investigation that presents greater questions for how the department handles

far-right violence and domestic extremism going forward.

A focus on those issues does mark a change from former President Trump's Justice Department

where threats of far-right violence were reportedly deprioritized.

This wouldn't be the only change under a Biden Justice Department led by Garlin.

At times, under Trump, the DOJ was politicized when pressured on cases involving the president's

allies.

The once-close relationship between former Attorney General William Barr and former President

Trump called the DOJ's independence into question.

Has the president or anyone at the White House ever asked or suggested that you open an

investigation of anyone?

Yes or no, please, sir.

Um, the president or anybody else.

Seems you would remember something like that and be able to tell us.

Yeah, but I'm trying to grapple with the word suggest.

I mean, there have been discussions of matters out there that they have not asked me to

open an investigation, but perhaps they've suggested.

I don't know.

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