司法部长梅里克·加兰周三发表了他的第一次公开讲话历史性的控诉前总统唐纳德·特朗普联邦刑事指控。
加兰在一场打击暴力犯罪的活动中接受提问，他说他不能讨论案件的细节，但在被问及特朗普和其他共和党人对司法部被“武器化”的指控时，他对特别顾问杰克·史密斯和他的团队表示了总体赞扬
“正如我在任命史密斯先生时所说的，我这样做是因为它强调了司法部对独立性和问责制的承诺，”司法部长说。“史密斯先生是一位经验丰富的职业检察官。他召集了一群经验丰富、才华横溢的检察官和代理人，他们与他一样致力于诚信。关于此事的任何问题都必须通过他们在法庭上的备案来回答。”
自特朗普的起诉书被披露以来，加兰一直面临着公开表态的压力。
当被问及他在起诉过程中的角色时，他说他遵循了为总检察长在特别律师调查中规定的规则，他的角色“完全符合”这些规则。
当ABC新闻高级司法记者Pierre Thomas问及为什么起诉是“最好和最合适的步骤”以及为什么没有其他选择时，Garland重申他不会透露案件的细节。
司法部长加兰告诉@PierreTABC他在特朗普起诉书中的角色“完全符合规定，并根据特别顾问条例规定了责任”。"对此的所有评论都必须在法庭上备案。"https://t.co/Yzj2t1zHur pic.twitter.com/Z3PaSOEhDI
—美国广播公司新闻(@ABC)2023年6月14日
特朗普因离开白宫后涉嫌不当处理机密文件而被起诉。他被指控犯有37项重罪，包括故意保留国防信息和妨碍公务。
特朗普周二在迈阿密向当局自首，并出庭，他的辩护律师代表他提出无罪抗辩。
这位前总统否认了所有的不法行为，并在他被传讯后，在新泽西州贝德明斯特高尔夫俱乐部的一次演讲中抨击了司法部和史密斯。
“今天，我们目睹了我国历史上最邪恶、最令人发指的滥用权力行为。非常令人难过的事情，”特朗普说。
他指责史密斯“从事政治暗杀工作”，并称他为“暴徒”。
史密斯在上周起诉书公布后发表了一份简短声明，称该国有“一套法律，它们适用于所有人。”
他说:“美国情报界和我们武装部队的男男女女为保护我们的国家和人民献出了他们的生命。”。“我们保护国防信息的法律对美国的安全至关重要，必须强制执行。违反这些法律将我们的国家置于危险之中。”
Attorney General Garland speaks on Trump case, defends special counsel
Attorney General Merrick Garland on Wednesday made his first public remarks after the historic indictment of former President Donald Trump on federal criminal charges.
Garland, taking questions at an event on combating violent crime, said he couldn't discuss particulars of the case but offered general praise for special counsel Jack Smith and his team after being asked about accusations made by Trump and other Republicans that the Justice Department has been "weaponized."
"As I said when I appointed Mr. Smith, I did so because it underscores the Justice Department's commitment to both independence and accountability," the attorney general said. "Mr. Smith is a veteran career prosecutor. He has assembled a group of experienced and talented prosecutors and agents who share his commitment to integrity. Any questions about this matter will have to be answered by their filings in court."
Garland has been under pressure to speak out since the Trump indictment was revealed.
When asked about his role in the indictment process, he said he followed regulations set forth for an attorney general in special counsel investigations, and that his role was "completely consistent" with those regulations.
Pressed by ABC News Senior Justice Correspondent Pierre Thomas on why an indictment was the "best and most appropriate step" and why were there were no other alternatives, Garland repeated he was not going to get into particulars of the case.
Attorney General Garland tells @PierreTABC that his role in Trump indictment was "completely consistent with the regulations and set forth responsibilities" under special counsel regulations."All comments on this will have to come in filings in court." https://t.co/Yzj2t1zHur pic.twitter.com/Z3PaSOEhDI
— ABC News (@ABC) June 14, 2023
Trump was indicted over his alleged mishandling of classified documents after leaving the White House. He has been charged with 37 felony counts, including willful retention of national defense information and obstruction.
Trump surrendered to authorities Tuesday in Miami and appeared in court, where his defense attorney entered a not guilty plea on his behalf.
The former president has denied all wrongdoing, and after his arraignment unloaded on the Department of Justice and Smith in a speech at his Bedminster, New Jersey, golf club.
"Today we witnessed the most evil and heinous abuse of power in the history of our country. Very sad thing to watch," Trump said.
He accused Smith of "doing political hit jobs" and called him a "thug."
Smith, who gave a brief statement after the indictment was released last week, said the country has "one set of laws and they apply to everyone."
"The men and women of the United States intelligence community and our armed forces dedicate their lives to protecting our nation and its people," he said. "Our laws that protect national defense information are critical to the safety and security of the United States and they must be enforced. Violations of those laws put our country at risk."
