Tensions between President Joe Biden and Attorney General Merrick Garland have continued to escalate following the special counsel report stating that the president has diminished mental faculties.
Although Biden initially appointed Garland to the position with the ostensible intention to restore order and independence in the Department of Justice, anonymous sources at the White House told Politico that Biden has grown increasingly frustrated with his appointee.
The special counsel report from Robert Hur is only the latest in a string of events that has strained the relationship between the White House and the DOJ.
Damaging Hur report
Although the special counsel report cleared Biden of any charges related to his mishandling of classified documents, the explanation that Biden was forgetful has damaged Biden’s reelection campaign.
The White House has remained insistent it has been transparent regarding the president’s medical records and his annual physical examination despite Hur’s assessment.
Anonymous sources close to the White House told Politico that Biden had told aides and outside advisers that Garland did not do enough to rein in the special counsel report and had privately questioned the need for a special counsel in the first place.
Investigation into Hunter Biden
The president has also privately complained about Garland for the extensive investigation into his son, Hunter Biden.
According to the inside sources, the elder Biden is concerned that the stress of the prolonged investigation could spur Hunter Biden to relapse into addiction.
The president has also confided privately to advisers that he strongly disapproves of Garland’s decision to empower a special counsel to investigate Hunter Biden, saying again that this is caving to external pressure.
Delays in charges against former President Donald Trump
Sources close to the White House told Politico that Biden is also frustrated with Garland’s decision not to move sooner in progressing the DOJ’s investigation into former President Donald Trump.
Earlier this month, the civil business proceedings against Biden’s main competitor in 2024 were stalled until at least mid-February.
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Meanwhile, the initially slated March 4 date to begin Trump’s election interference trial was removed from the public calendar. It is now unclear when the trial will occur.
Biden is reported to have expressed to White House insiders that an election interference trial may already be underway or have concluded if the DOJ had acted sooner.