He looked tired. Honestly, after four years of being the most scrutinized man in Washington, anyone would be. Merrick Garland stood in the Great Hall of the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice building on January 16, 2025, to give his final address. It wasn't just a standard retirement speech. It felt like a defense of a philosophy that many people think is dead: the idea that the law should be totally separate from politics.
The room was packed with career employees—the lawyers, investigators, and clerks who keep the gears turning regardless of who is in the Oval Office. Garland has always been a "judge's judge," even when he wasn't on the bench. When Attorney General Merrick Garland says goodbye to the Justice Department, he isn't just leaving a job; he’s closing a chapter on an era that tried, desperately, to return to "normalcy" after the chaos of the early 2020s.
The Long Road to the Exit
You’ve gotta remember where this started. Garland took the oath in March 2021. The department was a mess. Morale was in the basement. He was brought in specifically because he was seen as a boring, stable, rule-following moderate. The man who was famously denied a seat on the Supreme Court in 2016 was finally getting his consolation prize, but it was a heavy one.
During his farewell, he didn't focus on the headlines. He didn't spend twenty minutes talking about the Hunter Biden conviction or the various Trump indictments that defined his tenure in the public eye. Instead, he talked about "norms."
"It is the obligation of the Attorney General to make clear that the only way for the Justice Department to do the right thing is to do it the right way," Garland told the crowd.
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Basically, his whole vibe was: I did it by the book, and if you're mad about it, you're mad at the book. ## Why the "Calling Balls and Strikes" Strategy Was So Polarizing
People on the left were often furious with him for moving too slowly. People on the right accused him of "weaponizing" the DOJ. It’s a classic "damned if you do, damned if you don't" scenario. But inside the building? The career staff mostly loved him. Why? Because he acted as a shield.
When Attorney General Merrick Garland says goodbye to the Justice Department, he leaves behind a record of massive, complex investigations. We’re talking:
- Over 1,500 people charged in relation to the January 6th Capitol attack.
- Major antitrust lawsuits against tech giants like Google and Apple.
- A revitalized Civil Rights Division that went after police departments in places like Minneapolis and Louisville.
He took a lot of heat for appointing Special Counsels. To him, it was about showing independence. To his critics, it was an abdication of responsibility. He didn't care. Or, if he did, he never let it show. He just kept talking about the "DNA of the Department."
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The Emotional Core of the Farewell
There was a moment in the speech where his voice got a little thick. He wasn't talking about law; he was talking about people. He mentioned the families of fallen officers and the victims of the Oklahoma City bombing—a case that defined his early career in the 90s.
He stayed true to his brand until the very last second. No flashy exits. No "tell-all" teasers. Just a sincere thank you to the people who work in the field offices in places like Omaha and El Paso. He thanked the FBI agents who, in his words, "risk their lives in the line of duty but have been singled out and threatened for simply doing their jobs."
It’s easy to forget that while the pundits are screaming on TV, there are 115,000 people at the DOJ just trying to process visas, catch fentanyl traffickers, and protect witnesses. Garland saw himself as their protector-in-chief.
What Happens Now?
With Garland out, the transition to the next administration—and specifically to Pam Bondi, who was confirmed as the 87th Attorney General in February 2025—marks a massive shift in tone. If Garland was the personification of "slow and steady," the new leadership is promising a complete overhaul of how the DOJ functions.
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Critics say Garland's obsession with "norms" left the department vulnerable. Supporters say he saved the rule of law by refusing to sink to the level of his political enemies.
The Legacy Left Behind
- Restored Independence: He rebuilt the "firewall" between the White House and the DOJ. Whether that firewall holds is the big question for 2026.
- January 6th Accountability: Regardless of how you feel about the pace, the sheer scale of the prosecutions is unprecedented in American history.
- Corporate Crackdowns: He wasn't just about politics. His DOJ went after "too big to fail" companies with a level of aggression we hadn't seen in decades.
Practical Steps for Following the New DOJ
If you’re trying to keep track of how the Justice Department changes now that Garland has officially checked out, don't just watch the cable news highlights. The real changes happen in the "memo" level.
- Watch the U.S. Attorneys: Look at who is being replaced in your local district. That’s where the "rubber meets the road" on crime and prosecution.
- Monitor the Solicitor General’s Office: This is where the government’s legal positions are argued before the Supreme Court. A shift here means the law itself could change.
- Check the DOJ’s "Briefing Room" Website: They post every single major indictment and settlement. It’s the best way to see if the department is shifting its focus away from things like environmental justice or antitrust.
Merrick Garland's departure is the end of a specific type of institutionalism. He wasn't a "warrior" AG. He was a librarian AG who happened to be in charge during a revolution. Whether that was exactly what the country needed, or exactly the opposite, is something historians are going to be arguing about for the next fifty years. For now, the "judge" is finally going home.
To stay informed on the evolving legal landscape, you should regularly review the official Department of Justice press releases and follow non-partisan legal analysts who focus on institutional norms rather than partisan talking points. This will help you distinguish between actual policy shifts and mere political rhetoric as the 87th Attorney General takes the lead.