New Jersey Congressman Jefferson Van Drew, a Republican, grilled Merrick Garland, who served as Biden’s attorney general, in a new video. In the clip, Van Drew, who recently changed his party affiliation, asks Garland why Biden’s Department of Justice investigated catholic churches for ‘extremism.’ Merrick failed to give a solid answer, and social media was outraged that the DOJ went after American Christians.
“It’s clear to the American public that the buck stops with the man in charge. That man is you. The actions of the DOJ are on you. The decline of American’s trust in our federal law enforcement is on you. The political weaponization of the DOJ is on you, Attorney General,” said Van Drew to start his epic beatdown. He pivoted to asking Garland about his involvement in surveilling catholic churches.
“I need a simple yes or no to the following, just yes or no, because we don’t have much time. Do you agree that traditional Catholics are violent extremists? Yes or no,” he queried. Garland began an evasive response, “I’ll be happy to answer all of those.” However, the congressman interrupted and continued his questions to the stricken AG.
“Do you agree that traditional Catholics are violent extremists?”Van Drew Asked. Garland replied, “[I]have no idea what … what… traditional means here.” He tried to deflect by bringing up his Jewish roots. “The idea that someone with my family background would discriminate against any religion is so outrageous. They’re so absurd,” Garland replied.
Van Drew kept going. “It was your FBI that were sending -and we have the memos, we have the emails- were sending undercover agents into Catholic churches,” he hammered back. A sniveling Garland replied, ” Both I and the FBI director have said that we were appalled by that memo.” The Republican congressman quickly retorted, ” So then you agree that they’re not extreme?”
“You were appalled by that memo. Are they extremist or not? …Are they extremist or not? I’m asking a simple question. Say no if you think that they’re not extremists,” he added. Garland Finally broke down. “Catholics are not extremists,” he admitted. However, Jefferson Van Drew was not satisfied with that answer. He kept up the pressure on the visibly uncomfortable Garland.
In his last unanswered question, the congressman asked, ” Was there anyone fired for drafting …the anti-Catholic memo you have in front of you?” Garland never gave a direct answer. Online commentators were appalled by the interaction. “Being honest, FBI Agents attending Mass was probably the best waste of my tax dollars to come to light. I wish more FBI Agents attended Mass, and I’m not even Catholic,” one user quipped.
Watch the tense back-and-forth here:
“All because traditional Catholics believe in TRUTH revealed thru sacred tradition, marriage as a sacrament between a man & a woman,” another account responded. “We have common sense, vote conservative, are prolife womb to tomb. EVIL HATES THAT.” Another pointed out just how ridiculous the investigation was. “Catholics as hate groups. All the hospitals, schools, thousands of hours in local communities helping others.. a hate group,” she replied.
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