U.S. attorney general testifies before House Judiciary Committee

House Republicans on Wednesday questioned Attorney General Merrick Garland about whether he has weaponized the Justice Department against conservatives. Representatives also questioned him about the department’s investigation into Hunter Biden. Some lawmakers allege the department gave Biden preferential treatment. Garland is also overseeing two federal criminal cases against former President Donald Trump. He said the department does not take orders from the president or Congress. Asked whether he ever spoke to anyone at FBI headquarters about the Hunter Biden investigation, Garland said he didn’t believe he did. Democratic committee members said the Republicans’ accusations undermine the U.S. Justice system.

What else is going on in the background? The routine hearing on Wednesday comes about a week after House Speaker Kevin McCarthy opened an impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden. The House Oversight Committee will hold its first hearing on the inquiry next week.

Dig deeper: Listen to Mary Reichard’s discussion with Bobby Higdon on The World and Everything in It podcast about Trump and the younger Biden’s legal troubles.