Attorney General Merrick Garland made a major announcement Friday about the probe into former President Trump.
Attorney General Merrick Garland named a special counsel on Friday to oversee the Justice Department’s investigation into the presence of classified documents at former President Donald Trump’s Florida estate as well as key aspects of a separate probe involving the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection and efforts to undo the 2020 election.
The move, which is being announced just three days after Trump formally launched his 2024 candidacy, is a recognition of the unmistakable political implications of two investigations that involve not only a former president but also a current White House hopeful.
“Based on recent developments, including the former President’s announcement that he is a candidate for President in the next election, and the sitting President’s stated intention to be a candidate as well, I have concluded that it is in the public interest to appoint a special counsel,” said Attorney General Garland.
“Such an appointment underscores the Department’s commitment to both independence and accountability in particularly sensitive matters. It also allows prosecutors and agents to continue their work expeditiously, and to make decisions indisputably guided only by the facts and the law.
BREAKING: Attorney General Merrick Garland announces the appointment of Jack Smith to serve as special counsel to investigate Donald Trump.
— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) November 18, 2022
MORE: https://t.co/ePP8XyxSxt pic.twitter.com/fCsCamJlmc
National radio host Todd Starnes reacted to the news.
“Garland launches plot to stop Trump from running in 2024. This is criminal. Garland should be hauled out of DOJ headquarters in shackles,” Starnes tweeted.
BULLETIN: Garland launches plot to stop Trump from running in 2024. This is criminal. Garland should be hauled out of DOJ headquarters in shackles.
— toddstarnes (@toddstarnes) November 18, 2022
“They don’t have anything on Trump and Merrick Garland knows it,” Starnes said. “If they did, Garland would’ve made that announcement.”
He added, “This is all made up. Because there’s nothing there, they’re handing it off to a special counsel.”
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) slammed it as “Trump derangement syndrome but this time with a gun and badge.”
Cruz added, “Joe Biden has completely weaponized the Department of Justice to attack his political opponents.”
Joe Biden has completely weaponized the Department of Justice to attack his political opponents.
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) November 18, 2022
3 days ago, Trump announced and now a Special Counsel. 🧐
This is Trump derangement syndrome but this time with a gun and badge. #JusticeCorrupted https://t.co/YvHY4U8XYS
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) tweeted: “IMPEACH MERRICK GARLAND!”
IMPEACH MERRICK GARLAND!
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) November 18, 2022
Like I said before, the first order of business for the new GOP-led House is impeaching Attorney General Merrick Garland
— Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) November 18, 2022
As Garland talks about January 6, this is an important clip from yesterday. DOJ has pulled attorneys off of a number of other cases to go after non-violent J6 trespassers. https://t.co/qXthxfXe2Z
— Katie Pavlich (@KatiePavlich) November 18, 2022
Garland names special counsel to lead Trump-related probes | AP News
— John Cardillo (@johncardillo) November 18, 2022
An Obama era main DOJ guy.
Yeah, this will be totally fair and impartial. https://t.co/OoaRsjnVJh
Merrick Garland can stick his special counsel where the sun doesn’t shine!
— Nick Adams (Alpha Male) (@NickAdamsinUSA) November 18, 2022
Newsmax contributed to this report.