By Sarah N. Lynch

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The U.S. attorney general Merrick Garland said on Thursday that the Justice Department would not hesitate to take on politically sensitive or controversial cases. This apparently responded to criticisms of Trump’s former president and those who support him.

Garland addressed the topic in remarks to journalists just days before his first anniversary of being the highest U.S. police officer.

Garland added, without specific details, that “We are not afraid to take on cases that may be sensitive or controversial.” We treat all cases equally, regardless of the subject matter. We will not tolerate and must eliminate any element that could be interpreted as partisan in our case-related decision making.

Last week, the House of Representatives’ select committee investigating Trump supporters’ attack on Capitol last year to stop formal congressional certification of Trump’s 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden charged Trump with illegal conduct. The panel stated in court that Trump may have conspired to defraud America and could have blocked an official proceeding.

In connection to the Jan. 6th, 2021 riot, the Justice Department has already charged over 775 individuals, which includes leaders of far-right organizations like the Proud Boy and Oath Keepers.

Trump’s closest allies were not charged with any of the attacks, but his ex-chief White House strategist Steve Bannon faces misdemeanor charges for obstructing an investigation. This includes refusing to provide records and testify before the committee.

Garland has also confirmed that the National Archives informed the department Trump had taken classified materials down to Mar-a-Lago in Florida after he left the White House. Garland did not confirm whether or not the department would investigate.

Some Democrats in Congress have called Garland too timid. U.S. Representative Ruben gallego, for instance, called Garland in January “extremely weak”, and stated that more Jan. 6 organizers needed to be detained.