Dear Mr. Chairman and Senator Grassley,
I am writing on behalf of the members of the Fraternal Order of Police to advise you of our support for the nomination of Merrick B. Garland to be the next Attorney General of the United States.
Judge Garland began his public service career in 1979 as Special Assistant to U.S. Attorney General Benjamin R. Civiletti. After several years in private practice, he returned to the U.S. Department of Justice in 1989 as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia where he investigated and prosecuted drug-related and public corruption cases. Following a brief return to private practice, Judge Garland returned to the Justice Department’s Criminal Division where he supervised the handling of highprofile cases like the prosecution of the Unabomber as well as the Oklahoma City and Atlanta Olympic bombings. He left the Department after he was nominated and confirmed as a judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. He has been the court’s Chief Judge since 2013.
Throughout his tenure as a Federal prosecutor and a Federal judge, Judge Garland has demonstrated a keen legal mind, a reputation for fairness and honesty, and a respect for law enforcement officers. While we anticipate that we may have some serious disagreements on certain issues, based on his character and dedication to public service and law enforcement, we are cautious, but hopeful, that we will be able to build a working relationship with Judge Garland, should he be confirmed.
On behalf of the more than 356,000 members of the Fraternal Order of Police, we thank you for considering our support for this nominee. If I can provide any more information on this nomination, please do not hesitate to contact me or Executive Director Jim Pasco in our Washington office.
Sincerely,
Patrick Yoes
National President