Position In Biden Administration:
Attorney General
Nomination Details:
- Nomination Announced: January 7, 2021
- Confirmation Status: Pending
Past Work:
- Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (2013-2020)
- Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (1999-2007)
What They Are Saying About Him:
- “We think we’ll get a straight shot from him. He doesn’t come with any inherent skepticism about the federal government overreaching.” -Tim McDonnell, Mother Jones
- “Exactly the kind of fair, even-handed, and thoughtful jurist who deserves the immediate consideration of the Senate.” -Michael Brune, The Sierra Club
About Garland:
Merrick Garland is currently a United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, where he has served since 1997. Although the Department of Justice is not always associated with energy and environmental issues, the department does house the Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD), where lawyers focus on issues related to the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act. Additionally, as part of Biden’s environmental justice plan, Biden is committed to establishing an Environmental and Climate Justice Division at the Department of Justice.
As a judge, Garland has frequently ruled in favor of environmental groups. One notable example is that he voted to uphold President Obama’s Mercury and Air Toxics Standards, during a 2014 challenge to those rules.
Learn more about the Biden administration’s energy policies here.