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Ted Cruz says Merrick Garland lacks Bill Barr's integrity, Internet says 'that's the funniest thing in weeks'

Cruz said that despite Garland’s reputation for integrity, he 'refused to make clear that he would stand against the politicization of the department'

Merrick Garland, a longtime federal appeals court judge was confirmed as President Joe Biden’s attorney general on Wednesday, March 10. Garland’s Supreme Court nomination was one that Republicans famously refused to consider. Now, senators voted 70 to 30 to approve Garland’s nomination. 

He will take over the Justice Department that, during Donald Trump’s administration, suffered allegations about how much the former president sought to use its power to benefit his friends and hurt his enemies. Garland enjoyed bipartisan support in his confirmation. But not all Republicans are on his side. A notable example of his is Texas Senator Ted Cruz.

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Cruz, Speaking to Forbes, said he was “deeply disappointed” by Garland’s performance in confirmation hearings, taking aim at Garland's refusal to commit to not firing John Durham, who was tapped by the Trump administration to investigate the origins of the Trump-Russia probe. “He refused to commit to following the same standards of integrity that Bill Barr committed to,” Cruz said.

Both Cruz and Missouri junior Senator Josh Hawley, however, hoped that Garland will change his stance on immigration. They also asked Garland to be non-political, with Cruz calling for him to avoid “weaponizing” the DOJ the way it was “weaponized to attack the political opponents of the Obama administration.” Speaking to the Washington Post, Cruz said that despite Garland’s reputation for integrity, he “refused to make clear that he would stand against the politicization of the department, which we saw during the Obama-Biden years.”

Cruz’s comments have found backlash online. Especially those regarding Barr. Regarding Barr’s supposed integrity, one Twitter user said that it was “genuinely the funniest thing I've read in weeks.” Another Twitter user said, “Cruz knows all about integrity. He runs off to Cancun when he gets cold and leaves his constituents to freeze to death. Now that's integrity?”

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said before the vote that Garland had a “long reputation as a straight shooter and legal expert” and that his left-leaning views were “within the legal mainstream.”

In fact, as per the Post, Garland’s confirmation came with more bipartisan support than Trump’s nominees received. Jeff Sessions was confirmed in a 52 to 47 vote and Barr was confirmed in a 54 to 45 vote. In the Obama administration, Attorney General Loretta E Lynch was confirmed in a 56 to 43 vote and Holder in a 75 to 21 vote.

“After Donald Trump spent four years — four long years — subverting the powers of the justice department for his own political benefit, treating the attorney general like his own personal defense lawyer, America can breathe a sigh of relief that we’re going to have someone like Merrick Garland leading the justice department,” said majority leader Chuck Schumer ahead of the vote. “Someone with integrity, independence, respect for the rule of law and credibility on both sides of the aisle.”

Garland has said his first briefing will focus on the investigation into the January 6 riot at the US Capitol. Garland has also suggested he would favor a relaxation of the department’s pursuit of marijuana cases in states where the substance is legal.