Senator Hirono Meets with Judge Merrick Garland, Expresses Her Support for His Nomination to Serve as Next Attorney General

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a virtual meeting today, Senator Mazie K. Hirono, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, expressed her support for Judge Merrick Garland’s nomination to serve as the next Attorney General of the United States.

During their meeting, Senator Hirono and Judge Garland strongly agreed on the need to restore the independence of the Department of Justice (DOJ) after four years during which the Trump administration politicized the Department’s work for the President’s personal, political benefit. Senator Hirono and Judge Garland also focused on the Department’s use of its existing tools and authorities to combat voter suppression, the important role DOJ pattern and practice investigations and consent decrees can play in combating systemic racism in police departments, and how the Department can work to support Native American communities, including the Native Hawaiian community.

At the conclusion of their meeting, Senator Hirono expressed her support for Judge Garland’s nomination and pledged to advocate for his confirmation as a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

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