Mitch McConnell 'thinks Merrick Garland would make fantastic FBI Director' after denying him Supreme Court seat
The idea may not be as beneficial for Democrats, though
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Efforts to fill the empty FBI director seat left behind by James Comey with Merrick Garland, could have support from one seemingly unlikely corner in Washington: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
A former aide to Mr McConnell, the leading Republican in the Senate who mounted an unprecedented effort to stop Mr Garland from being put on the Supreme Court, has said that his former boss thinks Mr Garland might be a good choice to lead the FBI.
“He certainly thinks he will be qualified. And he certainly thinks he would be somebody that he could support,” Josh Holmes, a former advisor to Mr McConnell, said on Fox News.
“I think the Senate majority leader thinks that’s a fantastic idea” Mr Holmes said.
Supporting the nomination of Mr Garland to run the FBI would be a significant about-face for the senator, though the idea of instating Mr Garland as FBI director may actually be more attractive for Republicans than one would see upon first glance.
The idea of sending Mr Garland over to the J. Edgar Hoover Building was reportedly first floated by Republican Senator Mike Lee, and the idea quickly gained steam in Washington among both Democrats and Republicans.
But, whether or not Mr Garland would even be interested in the position is questionable.
Mr Garland currently serves as the chief justice on the DC Circuit federal appeals court, a position that is a lifetime appointment. Choosing to walk away from that position — a leading spot on one of the most powerful courts in the country — for a job that would leave him at the mercy of the whims of President Donald Trump, may not be the perfect choice for the judge, even if Democrats have said it sounds like a good idea following his being snubbed by Senate Republicans on his nomination to the Supreme Court last year.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments