Garland to be named special counsel in Trump investigations

Attorney General Merrick Garland is expected to announce the appointment of a special counsel to oversee federal investigations into former President Trump, days after Trump announced his intention to run for office again in 2024.

According to the Associated Press, Garland will serve as a special counsel for the Justice Department’s investigation into the misuse of confidential government documents at Mar-a-Lago, as well as aspects of the investigation into the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol.

Garland will officially announce the move at 2:15 p.m.

The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The move, which was first reported by a The Wall Street Journalwill no doubt surprise legal observers, many of whom have speculated loudly that it will do the Justice Department no good.

It also came after Trump singled out the Justice Department as he kicked off his campaign by complaining, “I’m a victim” and listing the FBI among “the gravest threats to our civilization.”

“There is nothing greater than the use of weapons by the system, the FBI or the Department of Justice. We have to do a complete overhaul to clean up the cesspools and corruption in Washington, D.C.,” he said.

“The journey ahead of us will not be easy,” Trump added. “Anyone who truly seeks to take on this rigged and corrupt system will face a firestorm few can fathom.”

Updated: 1:53 p.m