Merrick Brian Garland is the 86th United States attorney general. He served as a U.S. circuit judge for the D.C. Circuit from 1997 to 2021. In 2016, President Obama nominated him to the Supreme Court, but the Republican-led Senate blocked his appointment.
1915: Cyril Garland is born
Merrick Garland's father, Cyril Garland, was born in 1915.
1925: Shirley Horwitz is born
Merrick Garland's mother, Shirley Horwitz, was born in 1925.
November 13, 1952: Merrick Brian Garland is born
Merrick Brian Garland was born on November 13, 1952.
1970: Garland graduates from Niles West High School
Merrick Garland graduates from Niles West High School as valedictorian in 1970.
1971: Lewis F. Powell Jr. Nominated to the Supreme Court
Lewis F. Powell Jr. was nominated to the Supreme Court in 1971.
1974: Garland graduates from Harvard University
In 1974, Merrick Garland graduated summa cum laude from Harvard University with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
1977: Garland Graduates from Harvard Law
Merrick Garland graduates magna cum laude from Harvard Law School with a Juris Doctor degree in 1977.
1977: Garland begins clerkship for Judge Henry Friendly
Merrick Garland started working as a judicial law clerk for Judge Henry Friendly of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in 1977.
1978: Garland starts clerkship for Justice Brennan
In 1978, Merrick Garland began working as a clerk for Justice William J. Brennan Jr. of the U.S. Supreme Court.
1979: Garland becomes Special Assistant to U.S. Attorney General
After completing his clerkships, Merrick Garland took on the role of special assistant to U.S. Attorney General Benjamin Civiletti in 1979.
1981: Garland joins Arnold & Porter
Following the end of the Carter administration, Merrick Garland joined the law firm Arnold & Porter in 1981.
1983: Garland represents insurance company in seatbelt mandate case
In 1983, Merrick Garland served as counsel for an insurance company in the case of Motor Vehicles Manufacturers Ass'n v. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co., advocating for the reinstatement of an automatic seat belt mandate.
1985: Garland becomes Partner at Arnold & Porter
Merrick Garland was made partner at Arnold & Porter in 1985.
September 1987: Merrick Garland's marriage to Lynn Rosenman
In September 1987, Merrick Garland married Lynn Rosenman at the Harvard Club in Midtown Manhattan. Lynn's grandfather, Samuel Irving Rosenman, had served as a justice of the New York Supreme Court and as special counsel to Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman. The couple resides in Bethesda, Maryland.
1989: Garland becomes Assistant United States Attorney
Seeking to return to public service, Merrick Garland became an assistant United States attorney at the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia in 1989.
1991: Garland starts as Co-chair of the D.C. Bar's Administrative Law Section
From 1991 to 1994, Merrick Garland served as co-chair of the administrative law section of the District of Columbia Bar.
1992: Garland returns to Arnold & Porter
Merrick Garland returned to work at Arnold & Porter for a brief period from 1992 to 1993.
1993: Garland joins Clinton Administration
Merrick Garland joined the Clinton administration in 1993 as the deputy assistant attorney general in the Criminal Division of the United States Department of Justice.
1994: Garland concludes role as Co-chair of the D.C. Bar's Administrative Law Section
Merrick Garland finished his term as co-chair of the administrative law section of the District of Columbia Bar in 1994.
September 6, 1995: Nomination to the U.S. Court of Appeals
On September 6, 1995, President Bill Clinton nominated Merrick Garland to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, filling the seat left vacant by Abner J. Mikva. Notably, Justice Brennan, for whom Garland had previously clerked, strongly endorsed him for the position.
December 1, 1995: Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing
On December 1, 1995, Merrick Garland participated in a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee concerning his nomination to the U.S. Court of Appeals. During the hearing, Garland revealed his admiration for Supreme Court Justices Brennan, John Marshall, and Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. However, due to a disagreement on filling the vacant seat, Senate Republicans opted not to schedule a confirmation vote for Garland.
1995: Implementation of the D.C.'s Juvenile Curfew Act
The D.C.'s Juvenile Curfew Act of 1995 was implemented.
November 1996: Clinton Wins Presidential Election
In November 1996, Bill Clinton won the presidential election.
January 7, 1997: Renomination to the U.S. Court of Appeals
Following his victory in the November 1996 presidential election, President Clinton renominated Merrick Garland to the U.S. Court of Appeals on January 7, 1997.
March 19, 1997: Confirmation to the U.S. Court of Appeals
Merrick Garland was confirmed to the U.S. Court of Appeals on March 19, 1997, securing a substantial 76-23 vote. Notably, a significant portion of Republican senators, including prominent figures like John McCain, Orrin Hatch, Susan Collins, and Jim Inhofe, voted in favor of Garland's confirmation.
March 20, 1997: Commission to the U.S. Court of Appeals
On March 20, 1997, Merrick Garland received his judicial commission, marking his official appointment to the U.S. Court of Appeals.
1997: Garland begins serving as a U.S. Circuit Judge
In 1997, Merrick Garland began his tenure as a U.S. Circuit Judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
1998: Decision in United States ex rel. Yesudian v. Howard University
In 1998, in the case of United States ex rel. Yesudian v. Howard University, Merrick Garland authored the court's opinion, holding that a plaintiff alleging dismissal for whistleblowing by Howard University could sue under the False Claims Act (FCA) for retaliation.
1999: Dissent in United States v. Watson
In 1999, in the case of United States v. Watson, Merrick Garland dissented when the court determined that a prosecutor's closing argument was excessively prejudicial. Garland contended that convictions should only be overturned for the most severe instances of such errors.
1999: Concurrence in Hutchins v. District of Columbia
In the 1999 Hutchins v. District of Columbia case, Garland joined four other D.C. Circuit judges in concurring that the D.C.'s Juvenile Curfew Act of 1995 had implications for the rights of minors. He joined parts of the plurality opinion upholding the curfew under intermediate scrutiny.
2000: Cyril Garland passes away
Cyril Garland, Merrick Garland's father, passed away in 2000.
2002: Ruling for Religious Freedom of Federal Prisoners
In 2002, Garland joined a unanimous court ruling that sided with two federal prisoners who had been denied the right to consume communion wine.
2003: Decision in Alexander v. Daley
In 2003, Garland joined a decision rejecting a challenge from District of Columbia residents advocating for D.C. congressional voting rights. The case, Alexander v. Daley, was authored by Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly.
2003: Decision in al Odah v. United States
In 2003, Merrick Garland was part of a unanimous panel that ruled in al Odah v. United States. The panel concluded that federal courts lacked the authority to hear challenges from detainees held at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp.
2003: Ruling on the Arroyo Toad and the Endangered Species Act
In 2003, in the case of Rancho Viejo, LLC v. Norton, Merrick Garland determined that the arroyo toad was protected under the federal Endangered Species Act. Notably, Circuit Judge John Roberts dissented from denying a rehearing, arguing that Congress's interstate commerce power didn't extend to a toad residing solely in California.
2003: Garland elected to Harvard Board of Overseers
Merrick Garland was elected to the Harvard Board of Overseers in 2003, completing the term of Deval Patrick.
2004: Dissent in United States ex rel. Totten v. Bombardier Corp
In 2004, in the case of United States ex rel. Totten v. Bombardier Corp., Merrick Garland dissented from the court's decision, penned by Judge John Roberts, that the FCA didn't apply to false claims submitted to Amtrak. Garland argued against the narrow interpretation, emphasizing legislative intent, while Roberts cited a book by Circuit Judge Henry Friendly as justification.
2005: Dissenting Opinion in Lee v. Department of Justice
Garland issued a dissenting opinion in 2005 when the D.C. Circuit affirmed the district court's contempt order against reporters who refused to name anonymous sources during the Wen Ho Lee investigation. Garland argued the panel didn't adequately weigh the public interest in protecting sources against compelled disclosure, a decision he felt undermined press freedom.
2005: Senator Chuck Grassley Questions Roberts on Garland's Reading
During confirmation hearings in 2005, Senator Chuck Grassley directly questioned John Roberts regarding his decision not to adopt Merrick Garland's interpretation of the False Claims Act in a previous case. Roberts' response, "Any time Judge Garland disagrees, you know you're in a difficult area," highlighted the weight and respect given to Garland's legal opinions.
2007: Vote for En Banc Review in Parker v. District of Columbia
Garland voted in favor of an en banc review in 2007 regarding the D.C. Circuit's panel decision in Parker v. District of Columbia, a case concerning the invalidation of the D.C. handgun ban. The Supreme Court later affirmed the invalidation.
2007: Dissent in D.C. Police Officer Bribery Case
In 2007, Merrick Garland dissented when the en banc D.C. Circuit reversed the conviction of a Washington, D.C. police officer who had accepted bribes during an FBI sting operation, demonstrating his perspective on criminal cases.
2008: Decision in Parhat v. Gates
In 2008, Merrick Garland authored the opinion for a unanimous panel in the case of Parhat v. Gates. The court overturned the Combatant Status Review Tribunal's designation of a captured Uyghur as an enemy combatant.
2009: Consideration for Supreme Court Vacancy Following Justice Souter's Retirement
Following Justice David Souter's retirement announcement in 2009, Garland was considered as a finalist for the Supreme Court position. The position was eventually filled by Sonia Sotomayor.
2009: Garland becomes President of Harvard Board of Overseers
From 2009 to 2010, Merrick Garland held the position of president of the Harvard Board of Overseers.
2009: Consideration for Supreme Court Vacancy
Garland was considered for a vacant seat on the United States Supreme Court in 2009.
2009: Ruling in National Association of Manufacturers v. Taylor
In 2009, Garland authored the court's decision in National Association of Manufacturers v. Taylor, which upheld the constitutionality of lobbyist disclosure requirements outlined in the Honest Leadership and Open Government Act.
2009: Dissent in Saleh v. Titan Corp
In 2009, Merrick Garland dissented in the case of Saleh v. Titan Corp. The court held that former Iraqi detainees at Abu Ghraib prison could not sue private military contractors involved in torture and prisoner abuse. Garland argued that the lawsuit should proceed as there was no legal basis for granting immunity to the contractors, and holding them liable wouldn't impede government operations.
2009: Influence on the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act
Merrick Garland's 2004 dissent in the United States ex rel. Totten v. Bombardier Corp. is believed to have influenced the enactment of the Fraud Enforcement and Recovery Act of 2009. His dissent raised concerns that the court's ruling could hinder the government's ability to pursue false claims cases against federal grantees, prompting legislative action to address the perceived loophole.
April 2010: Justice John Paul Stevens Announces Retirement
Justice John Paul Stevens announced his retirement from the Supreme Court in April 2010.
May 2010: Senator Orrin Hatch Supports Garland for Supreme Court
Senator Orrin Hatch from Utah expressed his support for Garland as a potential Supreme Court nominee in May 2010, calling him a "consensus nominee."
August 2010: Elena Kagan Confirmed to the Supreme Court
Elena Kagan was confirmed to the Supreme Court in August 2010 after being nominated by President Obama.
2010: Described as a "model, neutral judge"
In 2010, Tom Goldstein, the publisher of SCOTUSblog, characterized Judge Merrick Garland as essentially a "model, neutral judge." Goldstein highlighted that Garland's opinions refrained from unnecessary and broad pronouncements, indicating a measured and impartial approach.
2010: Ruling in Favor of Interior Department Employee's Religious Discrimination Claim
Garland authored the decision in 2010 for a unanimous court ruling in favor of an Interior Department employee. The employee filed a religious discrimination claim after the department wouldn't allow a work schedule change to accommodate her church and Bible study commitments.
2010: Consideration for Supreme Court Vacancy
Garland was considered for a vacant seat on the United States Supreme Court in 2010.
July 2011: Decision in Moath Hamza Ahmed al Alawi Habeas Corpus Case
In July 2011, Merrick Garland authored the unanimous panel decision rejecting Guantanamo detainee Moath Hamza Ahmed al Alawi's petition for habeas corpus.
February 12, 2013: Becomes Chief Judge of the D.C. Circuit
On February 12, 2013, Merrick Garland assumed the position of Chief Judge of the D.C. Circuit.
May 2013: Implementation of Same-Day Audio Recordings
In May 2013, Chief Judge Merrick Garland announced the D.C. Circuit's unanimous decision to provide the public with same-day audio recordings of oral arguments in the court, enhancing transparency and accessibility.
2013: Garland becomes Chief Judge of the D.C. Court of Appeals
In 2013, Merrick Garland assumed the role of Chief Judge of the D.C. Court of Appeals.
2013: Decisions on Regulatory Agencies and Environmental Law
In 2013, Merrick Garland demonstrated a tendency to defer to regulatory agencies in certain cases. For instance, in In re Aiken County, he dissented when the court ordered the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to process the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository license. Similarly, in Americans for Safe Access v. Drug Enforcement Administration, he joined a divided court upholding the DEA's classification of marijuana as a Schedule I drug.
2013: Ruling in ACLU v. CIA
In 2013, while serving on the D.C. Circuit, Garland wrote the opinion for a unanimous panel rejecting the CIA's Glomar response in the ACLU v. CIA case. The court ordered the agency to process the ACLU's FOIA request related to targeted killings by CIA drones.
2015: Ruling in Wagner v. Federal Election Commission
In 2015, Garland wrote the opinion for the unanimous en banc D.C. Circuit in the Wagner v. Federal Election Commission case, upholding a ban on federal contractors making campaign contributions due to concerns about government corruption.
2015: Ruling in Cause of Action v. FTC
In the 2015 Cause of Action v. FTC case, Garland authored the panel's unanimous decision to overturn the Federal Trade Commission's limitations on FOIA fee waivers for large news outlets.
February 13, 2016: Death of Justice Antonin Scalia
Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia passed away on February 13, 2016.
March 2016: Garland nominated to Supreme Court
President Barack Obama nominated Merrick Garland to serve as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court in March 2016 following the death of Antonin Scalia.
March 2016: Garland Shortlisted and Nominated for Supreme Court Vacancy
In March 2016, The New York Times reported Garland was being considered for the Supreme Court vacancy. He was later named to the President's shortlist, and on March 16, 2016, Obama formally nominated Garland for the position.
2016: Nomination to the Supreme Court
Garland was nominated by President Barack Obama for the Supreme Court seat left vacant by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia in 2016.
2016: Shirley Garland passes away
Shirley Garland, Merrick Garland's mother, passed away in 2016.
2016: President Obama nominates Garland to the U.S. Supreme Court
President Barack Obama nominated Merrick Garland to the U.S. Supreme Court in 2016. However, the Republican-led Senate blocked his appointment.
2016: Reputation for Collegiality and Limited Dissents
As of 2016, Merrick Garland was known for his collegiality and for writing relatively few dissents during his two decades on the court. In fact, he had written just fifteen dissents, which was fewer than his colleague Brett Kavanaugh, who had written approximately 17 dissents in the preceding decade.
January 3, 2017: Garland's Supreme Court nomination expires
After 293 days, Merrick Garland's nomination to the Supreme Court expired on January 3, 2017, at the end of the 114th Congress.
January 31, 2017: Nomination of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court
On January 31, 2017, President Donald Trump nominated Neil Gorsuch to fill the Supreme Court vacancy left by the expired nomination of Merrick Garland.
April 7, 2017: Senate Confirmation of Neil Gorsuch
On April 7, 2017, the Senate confirmed Neil Gorsuch's nomination to the Supreme Court, filling the vacancy for which Merrick Garland had been nominated but not confirmed.
February 11, 2020: Term as Chief Judge Ends
Merrick Garland's seven-year term as Chief Judge of the D.C. Circuit concluded on February 11, 2020, with Judge Sri Srinivasan succeeding him. Despite this transition, Garland remained an active member of the court.
July 2020: Jessica Garland hired as law clerk by Justice Elena Kagan
In early July 2020, Justice Elena Kagan hired Jessica Garland, a 2019 Yale Law School graduate and Merrick Garland's daughter, as one of her law clerks. However, due to potential conflicts of interest, Jessica did not serve as Kagan's law clerk while her father remained Attorney General.
2020: Garland ends his term as Chief Judge
Merrick Garland concluded his term as Chief Judge of the D.C. Court of Appeals in 2020.
January 6, 2021: Selection as U.S. Attorney General
Merrick Garland was selected by President-elect Joe Biden for the position of United States Attorney General on January 6, 2021.
January 2021: Biden nominates Garland for U.S. Attorney General
President Joe Biden nominated Merrick Garland for the position of U.S. Attorney General in January 2021.
March 11, 2021: Retirement from Judicial Service and Appointment as Attorney General
On March 11, 2021, Garland retired from his position in federal judicial service. This move allowed him to accept the appointment as the Attorney General of the United States.
April 2021: Sanctions Imposed by Russia
In April 2021, Russia imposed sanctions on Merrick Garland, prohibiting him from entering the country. This was in retaliation for the U.S. expulsion of Russian diplomats due to actions such as the SolarWinds hack.
April 21, 2021: DOJ Investigation into Minneapolis Police Department
On April 21, 2021, following the conviction of Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd, Garland announced an investigation into the Minneapolis Police Department's use of force and discriminatory conduct.
May 2021: DOJ Appeals Ruling on Barr Memo
In May 2021, the Department of Justice, under Garland's leadership, appealed a ruling to make public a memo detailing former AG Bill Barr's rationale for clearing President Trump of obstruction of justice.
June 7, 2021: DOJ Defends Defamation Lawsuit
On June 7, 2021, the Department of Justice, with Garland's involvement, continued its defense of a defamation lawsuit by E. Jean Carroll against President Trump, arguing he couldn't be sued for denying rape allegations made while in office.
June 2021: DOJ Actions on Voting Rights
In June 2021, Garland pledged to increase staff focused on voting rights protection in response to Republican efforts to restrict voting. He also announced a lawsuit against Georgia over its new voting restrictions.
June 2021: Reversal of Trump-Era Policy on Body-Worn Cameras
In June 2021, the DOJ, under Garland's leadership, reversed a Trump-era policy that banned federal officers from using body-worn cameras and mandated their use in specific situations.
July 1, 2021: Moratorium on Federal Executions
On July 1, 2021, Merrick Garland imposed a moratorium on federal executions, pending review of policies and procedures, aligning with Biden's pledge to end the federal death penalty.
July 2021: Guidance on Election Law Changes
In July 2021, the DOJ, under Garland's leadership, released guidance on election law changes and post-election audits, emphasizing their observation of states' compliance with federal election and civil rights laws.
July 26, 2021: DOJ allows unrestricted testimony on Trump’s actions
On July 26, 2021, the DOJ sent letters to former DOJ officials from the Trump administration, informing them that they could provide unrestricted testimony about Trump's attempts to overturn the 2020 presidential election and the January 6 Capitol attack. The DOJ stated that it would not exert executive privilege over their testimony, allowing them to speak freely to the House Oversight Committee and Senate Judiciary Committee.
July 28, 2021: DOJ rejects Mo Brooks's request for protection
On July 28, 2021, the DOJ denied Rep. Mo Brooks's request for protection in the civil lawsuit filed by Eric Swalwell. The lawsuit pertained to comments and actions related to the January 6 attack. The DOJ determined that Brooks's actions were outside the scope of his official responsibilities as a member of Congress, therefore not warranting DOJ protection.
September 14, 2021: Civil Investigation into Georgia Prisons
On September 14, 2021, the DOJ announced a civil investigation into prisons in Georgia, focusing on prison violence and sexual abuse of LGBTQ prisoners.
October 13, 2021: DOJ investigates Texas juvenile detention facilities
On October 13, 2021, the DOJ launched an investigation into five juvenile detention facilities in Texas. The investigation focused on systemic physical or sexual abuse of children within these facilities. This move was part of the DOJ's efforts to address and rectify allegations of mistreatment and ensure the safety and rights of juveniles in detention.
October 2021: Garland addresses threats against school officials
In October 2021, amid rising threats against school board members, Merrick Garland issued a memo addressing the increase in harassment and threats of violence against school officials. The memo directed the FBI and US attorneys' offices to set up meetings with law enforcement leaders to establish tiplines for reporting threats and discussing strategies to address these issues. This action followed a request from the National School Boards Association for a federal response to the threats.
October 21, 2021: House refers Steve Bannon for criminal contempt
On October 21, 2021, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to refer Steve Bannon to the DOJ for criminal contempt of Congress after he defied a subpoena from the House's January 6 select committee. The referral was sent to the U.S. Attorney for DC, who would decide whether to present it to a grand jury for indictment. Merrick Garland stated that the DOJ would apply the facts and law to make a decision on the matter.
2021: DOJ memo limits chokeholds and no-knock entries
In 2021, the DOJ issued a memo restricting the use of chokeholds and carotid restraints by federal officers during arrests. These tactics were prohibited unless deadly force was authorized. Additionally, the memo limited the use of no-knock entries, directing officers to knock-and-announce unless there were reasonable grounds to believe that such action would create an imminent threat of physical violence. This initiative aimed to reduce the use of excessive force and enhance the safety of law enforcement operations in 2021.
2021: Garland concludes service as U.S. Circuit Judge
Merrick Garland concluded his service as a U.S. Circuit Judge in 2021.
2021: Merrick Garland's net worth in 2021
As of 2021, Merrick Garland's net worth was estimated by Forbes to be between $8.6 million and $33 million. This financial status was noted in the context of his public service and career achievements.
November 2022: Garland appoints special counsel for Trump investigations
In November 2022, shortly after Donald Trump announced his 2024 presidential campaign, Merrick Garland appointed Jack Smith as special counsel to oversee the investigations into Trump. This appointment was part of the DOJ's efforts to ensure thorough and impartial investigations into Trump's activities.
February 8, 2024: DOJ concludes investigation into Biden's handling of classified documents
On February 8, 2024, the DOJ released a report by special counsel Robert Hur on President Biden's handling of classified documents. The report concluded that charges were not necessary, citing issues with Biden's memory and mental acuity. Biden had been interviewed during the investigation, which helped form the report's conclusions.
June 12, 2024: Garland held in contempt by House of Representatives
On June 12, 2024, Merrick Garland was held in contempt by the House of Representatives for defying subpoenas and refusing to disclose audio of President Biden's interview conducted by special counsel Robert Hur. The DOJ argued that Biden's invocation of executive privilege prevented Garland from releasing the materials. Concerns were also raised that the audio could be fraudulently edited or deepfaked, potentially hindering future investigations.
November 2024: Criticism of Garland's pace in Trump prosecutions
In November 2024, Merrick Garland faced criticism for the slow pace of prosecutions against former President Donald Trump. Observers, including President Joe Biden, attributed some responsibility to Garland for the delay in bringing the cases to trial before the 2024 election. Representative Adam Schiff commented on the potential impact of these delays on the trials.