Attorney General Merrick Garland on Wednesday defended the Justice Department's Jan. 6th probe from critics who say it appears to be focusing on lower-level perpetrators – vowing that those who carried out the events will be 'held accountable.'
Speaking at the DOJ with agency officials watching remotely and others in person, Garland defended the nationwide roundup, with more than 700 charged despite relatively few arrests the day of the Capitol riot.
'The actions we have taken thus far will not be our last. The Justice Department remains committed to holding all Jan. 6 perpetrators - at any level - accountable under law,' Garland said. 'Whether they were present that day or were otherwise criminally responsible for the assault on our democracy, we will follow the facts wherever they lead.'
He specifically pointed to 40 people charged with conspiracy to obstruct a congressional proceeding – the meeting to count the electoral votes for president – while also describing in detail the violent acts carried out against police officers that day.
The Justice Department remains committed to holding all Jan. 6 perpetrators - at any level - accountable under law,' said Attorney General Merrick Garland in a speech Wednesday
He said agency officials will pursue the massive investigation for 'as long as it takes' and do 'whatever it takes for justice to be done, consistent with the facts and the law.'
Garland was careful to say his agency would 'follow the facts' and show not bias for friend or foe, while also providing assurances that top operators will not be spared.
'Those involved must be held accountable and there is no higher priority for us at the Dept of Justice,' said Garland.
He provided some statistics on that day, saying 80 Capitol Police and 60 D.C. police officers were assaulted. He said authorities had viewed 20,000 hours of footage and received 300,000 tips from Americans in their probe, with more than 725 defendants charged so far.
He also gave an explanation for some of the optics of the probe, with 145 people pleading guilty to misdemeanors, and therefore getting lighter sentences. He said that was in keeping with 'well-worn prosecutorial practices, and that those
