In a video posted on Twitter minutes before Trump pleaded not guilty, Vance — a Trump-endorsed first-term senator — vowed to block “all the Department of Justice nominees” that Garland will use “clearly to harass his political opponents.”
Vance urged lawmakers to “grind this department to a halt,” claiming Trump’s indictment on 37 federal felony counts — which came from a grand jury in response to a special counsel investigation — is just one example of Garland utilizing the DOJ to advance an anti-Trump political agenda, and accusing the DOJ of being “not engaged in justice” but “engaged in politics.”
Vance’s comments echo growing criticism from Trump allies against the FBI and DOJ, including House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), who labeled the indictment a “grave injustice” and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who called it“incredibly damaging” — though some other Republicans have broken with their colleagues.