Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Greyhead

(73 posts)
Tue Jan 14, 2025, 10:14 AM Jan 14

Biden's biggest mistake.

Not replacing fucking Garland. I thought that the snub from McConnell on the supreme court would have him ready to take on trump and the gop and bring some law and order to DC. Boy was I wrong he sat in his hands the whole time. And then appoints a republican to go after Hunter.
Joe should have removed him from office as soon as he started slow walking the prosecution of the orange tub of lard.

51 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Biden's biggest mistake. (Original Post) Greyhead Jan 14 OP
the man who prosecuted Trump? bigtree Jan 14 #1
Ha! Are you referring to the evidence collected by the J6 Committee? Think. Again. Jan 14 #6
Sorry - could you expand please? WA-03 Democrat Jan 14 #7
This message was self-deleted by its author bigtree Jan 14 #35
here bigtree Jan 14 #37
Biden spent the first year calling Trump The Former Guy BeyondGeography Jan 14 #2
Agree mr715 Jan 14 #14
No, it doesn't. Biden bears responsibility as well. lees1975 Jan 14 #19
it's a falsehood that "Garland never showed urgency about going after Trump" bigtree Jan 14 #38
If there had been any urgency at all, this would have been tried before the mid-term elections rolled around. lees1975 Jan 14 #42
'any urgency at all' bigtree Jan 14 #48
Outcomes matter n/t mr715 Jan 14 #45
elections matter bigtree Jan 14 #46
We agree. mr715 Jan 14 #47
Someone else pointed out something that I hadn't thought of before. Baitball Blogger Jan 14 #3
you have no evidence Garland 'deliberately dragged his feet' bigtree Jan 14 #39
Well, except his own admission that he did. lees1975 Jan 14 #43
notice you didn't post one speck of evidence that 'he' admitted anything bigtree Jan 14 #49
Biden was in a bind. no_hypocrisy Jan 14 #4
assume voteragain Jan 14 #12
Sure, it's speculation, no_hypocrisy Jan 14 #23
Biden had an opportunity 2 years ago. mwooldri Jan 14 #22
Well it's sure going to get political now, isn't it..... hadEnuf Jan 14 #26
Totally agree WA-03 Democrat Jan 14 #5
Still beating the dead horse? Why? Oopsie Daisy Jan 14 #8
We need to learn from our mistakes missingm Jan 14 #10
None of us will be involved with picking an AG Kaleva Jan 14 #15
Don't be so sure missingm Jan 14 #44
Agreed. Garland failed miserably. Dems have to stop appointing rethug AGs ans FBI heads. brush Jan 14 #16
Agree.... PortTack Jan 14 #11
Yes, Magoo48 Jan 14 #17
I think we are still trying to really figure out how a decent and intelligent person lost the election hadEnuf Jan 14 #30
I appreciate your thoughtful response * Oopsie Daisy Jan 14 #31
This message was self-deleted by its author bigtree Jan 14 #50
Un record. nt William769 Jan 14 #9
You mean Ron Klain's biggest mistake liberalmediaaddict Jan 14 #13
Who made the decision? Cirsium Jan 14 #18
The answer might surprise you! mr715 Jan 14 #32
Well, yes, Garland and his Israel/Gaza policy n/t markpkessinger Jan 14 #20
I think dems and indies are pretty split on Israel/Gaza elias7 Jan 14 #33
Sending Israel $2 Billion worth of Arms on the way out the door is very hard to defend n/t markpkessinger Jan 14 #40
Agree, should have replaced Merrick the Meek republianmushroom Jan 14 #21
Absolutely! Replaced right away. Never even considered, to be honest. Not the correct temperament. somaticexperiencing Jan 14 #24
Unfortunately.... kentuck Jan 14 #25
Honestly, we're losing one of our greatest Presidents. Joinfortmill Jan 14 #27
What would have changed? Self Esteem Jan 14 #28
it seemed pretty obvious to me early on samsingh Jan 14 #29
Debating when ailing with a viral infection elias7 Jan 14 #34
stop kidding yourself Skittles Jan 15 #51
I think Biden's biggest mistakes were ReRe Jan 14 #36
Drumpf was kept in play on purpose VBNMW Jan 14 #41

bigtree

(90,700 posts)
1. the man who prosecuted Trump?
Tue Jan 14, 2025, 10:18 AM
Jan 14

...who hired the man who took his 'fast moving investigation and over 20 prosecutors and almost all of the evidence collected by Garland's team against Trump and defended it for years in successive courts packed with Trump and republican nominees?

This stupid shit does nothing but divert from the prosecution and the report.

Funny that.

Response to WA-03 Democrat (Reply #7)

bigtree

(90,700 posts)
37. here
Tue Jan 14, 2025, 01:38 PM
Jan 14

...you claimed without any evidence at all that "he sat in his hands the whole time." Not even close to the truth, just blatantly false.





https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/11/politics/jack-smith-special-counsel-high-profile-moves-trump-criminal-investigations/index.html


Smith inherited from Garland a "fast moving investigation and over 20 prosecutors"



BeyondGeography

(40,138 posts)
2. Biden spent the first year calling Trump The Former Guy
Tue Jan 14, 2025, 10:23 AM
Jan 14

He thought he was in the rear-view mirror. It was wishful thinking and awful politics.

Biden appointed a cautious AG and then he himself showed no urgency about going after Trump. So we shouldn’t be surprised that Garland only picked up the pace when the House started holding J6 hearings. The buck doesn’t stop with Garland on the question of who made Trump’s return possible.

lees1975

(6,217 posts)
19. No, it doesn't. Biden bears responsibility as well.
Tue Jan 14, 2025, 12:12 PM
Jan 14

Garland never showed urgency about going after Trump. He should have been fired when the J6 committee handed off the evidence that would have convicted Trump on multiple counts, including insurrection.

And frankly, I don't understand Biden's handling of it, except the standard explanation of avoiding the appearance of looking political. And I don't really understand that, either, if Trump really is the existential threat to Democracy Democrats keep insisting that he his.

Nobody is perfect, I guess, but I expected more from Biden.

bigtree

(90,700 posts)
38. it's a falsehood that "Garland never showed urgency about going after Trump"
Tue Jan 14, 2025, 01:43 PM
Jan 14

...provably false, especially since it comes with no receipt for the claim at all which is par for these slams at the people prosecuting Trump.

my receipts:


https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/28/us/politics/trump-investigation-thomas-windom.html


https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/11/politics/jack-smith-special-counsel-high-profile-moves-trump-criminal-investigations/index.html

lees1975

(6,217 posts)
42. If there had been any urgency at all, this would have been tried before the mid-term elections rolled around.
Tue Jan 14, 2025, 04:52 PM
Jan 14

This isn't some hole in the wall attorney on the back side of DC, it's the office of the Attorney General of the United States. He admitted to dragging his feet and slow walking this, because there was no urgency expressed to get it done. If he'd wanted to, he could have brought charges when Congress finished their investigation and pushed it into court, cutting filing deadlines and giving the other side a fair, but quick chance to get done. When they want to, they can.

Baitball Blogger

(48,974 posts)
3. Someone else pointed out something that I hadn't thought of before.
Tue Jan 14, 2025, 10:23 AM
Jan 14

Obama picked Merritt Garland because he thought the Republicans wouldn't object to him. Meaning, Garland was not what we thought he was. We always assumed his fault was due because he was overly meticulous. But, maybe, he intentionally dragged his feet because he knew the case would go away if Trump won.

bigtree

(90,700 posts)
39. you have no evidence Garland 'deliberately dragged his feet'
Tue Jan 14, 2025, 01:45 PM
Jan 14

...not a speck.

Tons of evidence to the contrary.

lees1975

(6,217 posts)
43. Well, except his own admission that he did.
Tue Jan 14, 2025, 04:53 PM
Jan 14

That's pretty convincing. Whole block of time when he just twiddled his thumbs and waited for Smith. Didn't need to but he did. And he said so, so I guess if we're going to apologize for him, we might as well take him at his word.

bigtree

(90,700 posts)
49. notice you didn't post one speck of evidence that 'he' admitted anything
Tue Jan 14, 2025, 05:42 PM
Jan 14

...so apparently it didn't happen.

There wasn't a "whole chunk of time where he twiddled his thumbs and waited for Smith." That's pure fiction.

Smith inherited what was described as a 'fast moving investigation' with over 20 prosecutors who were defending the bulk of the evidence that became the indictment which was described as more than Mueller had at the point of his appointment.

Garland's team not only gathered the majority of the evidence in the indictment before Smith arrived, they defended it in myriad, successive courts all the way through his appointment and term.

Hell, Garland's Tom Windom was still in court right before we voted presenting the revised indictment.

You have a really distorted view of the prosecution and are connfused about who was actually prosecuting and when, who was investigating, and who the federal government relies on to make decisions about who and when to charge.

Your statements are provably false.

receipts:


https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/28/us/politics/trump-investigation-thomas-windom.html


https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/11/politics/jack-smith-special-counsel-high-profile-moves-trump-criminal-investigations/index.html



From Mike Pence to ‘fake’ electors, here’s who has testified to the January 6 grand jury or met with prosecutors
https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/11/politics/grand-jury-testimony-list-january-6-trump/index.html

no_hypocrisy

(49,888 posts)
4. Biden was in a bind.
Tue Jan 14, 2025, 10:24 AM
Jan 14

If he replaced Garland, the Trump prosecution would have appeared to be political. Because Garland was slow would not have been valid to critics, esp. to Trump. And it would have a negative impact on the Election.

It was assumed that Trump would lose.

voteragain

(40 posts)
12. assume
Tue Jan 14, 2025, 11:53 AM
Jan 14

you know what they say about (ass)ume and its connection?

also, the saying the buck stops here.....

mwooldri

(10,493 posts)
22. Biden had an opportunity 2 years ago.
Tue Jan 14, 2025, 12:36 PM
Jan 14

After the 2022 midterm elections.

The Democrats lost the House. Biden could have done a cabinet reshuffle at that point as a response. That way it would appear much less political, Garland could be thanked for depoliticizing the Department of Justice, and a more aggressive candidate could have taken his place.

It's what happens in Westminster style politics... the governing party loses a major election (e g. Local elections), says they're listening, and cabinet gets reshuffled. It's something we can learn from..

Sure Republicans would have complained. It's their job when in opposition... to oppose. And I admit they do opposition very well.

Off on a tangent... How long will DJTs picks remain in the cabinet? He appeared to have a revolving door on his picks....

WA-03 Democrat

(3,278 posts)
5. Totally agree
Tue Jan 14, 2025, 10:26 AM
Jan 14

Equal rights under the law is a facade. We have lost the rule of law.
President Biden had a ton of tasks. He did great on all expect killing Trumpism. Roy Cohn won. Putin won. We are at best an oligarchy.
The rich folks who own our party can go fuck off. New leadership come on down.

Oopsie Daisy

(5,074 posts)
8. Still beating the dead horse? Why?
Tue Jan 14, 2025, 10:30 AM
Jan 14

While revisiting this issue may seem pertinent, perhaps it would be more beneficial for us to shift our focus towards endeavors that offer greater value and productivity. Redirecting our attention to more meaningful pursuits could yield more favorable outcomes.

missingm

(81 posts)
10. We need to learn from our mistakes
Tue Jan 14, 2025, 11:09 AM
Jan 14

The new report shows how weak Garland was. He never should have been appointed in the first place. Going forward, inaction should never be an option.

Kaleva

(38,861 posts)
15. None of us will be involved with picking an AG
Tue Jan 14, 2025, 12:00 PM
Jan 14

There is no lesson here for us to learn.

missingm

(81 posts)
44. Don't be so sure
Tue Jan 14, 2025, 04:59 PM
Jan 14

But beyond that, you can be sure that if the general party members demand an AG like Yates over an AG like Garland, the party leaders will listen.

brush

(58,662 posts)
16. Agreed. Garland failed miserably. Dems have to stop appointing rethug AGs ans FBI heads.
Tue Jan 14, 2025, 12:01 PM
Jan 14

Magoo48

(5,803 posts)
17. Yes,
Tue Jan 14, 2025, 12:05 PM
Jan 14

like how many ways can I come up with to resist?
How can I support my community in all the ways he’s opposed to?

hadEnuf

(2,926 posts)
30. I think we are still trying to really figure out how a decent and intelligent person lost the election
Tue Jan 14, 2025, 12:53 PM
Jan 14

to a fascist, criminal nutcase, whose last administration was an unmitigated disaster.

The "price of eggs" just isn't cutting it.

Perhaps if we can figure out how this happened, we may be able to learn from it. (for what that would be worth)

Oopsie Daisy

(5,074 posts)
31. I appreciate your thoughtful response *
Tue Jan 14, 2025, 01:01 PM
Jan 14

I appreciate your thoughtful response. It seems that many individuals have overlooked or neglected to consider the consequences of the faction advocating for punitive measures against Democrats. Their persistent chants of 'Genocide Joe' and efforts to suppress voter engagement with misleading statements like 'We're voting for Trump' or 'Enjoy Trump' have had a detrimental impact. These actions gained momentum particularly when certain congressional members encouraged their constituents to cast 'Uncommitted' votes. Subsequently, after expressing their dissent in the primaries through these 'uncommitted' protest votes, many were convinced that their stance was definitive, leading to a disillusionment that hindered further support for Democratic candidates, whether it be Biden or Harris. This situation effectively poisoned the well."

Response to Oopsie Daisy (Reply #8)

liberalmediaaddict

(980 posts)
13. You mean Ron Klain's biggest mistake
Tue Jan 14, 2025, 11:57 AM
Jan 14

Biden wanted Senator Doug Jones to be AG. Ron Klain insisted he choose Garland.

Cirsium

(1,590 posts)
18. Who made the decision?
Tue Jan 14, 2025, 12:09 PM
Jan 14

Who voted for Ron Klain? He made the decision, and not the president? He was making perhaps the most important decision in recent memory.

mr715

(1,175 posts)
32. The answer might surprise you!
Tue Jan 14, 2025, 01:12 PM
Jan 14

Or perhaps not.

I agree 100% If we are invoking Ron Klain and the Office of the President, then it is either Biden's responsibility or he was "being handled" as the Republican party so often has accused him of; there is no good answer to the issue of Merrick Garland and the failure to prosecute January 6th

elias7

(4,219 posts)
33. I think dems and indies are pretty split on Israel/Gaza
Tue Jan 14, 2025, 01:17 PM
Jan 14

So many dems & independents were sickened by the anti-Semitic behavior by pro-Palestinian protesters on college campuses, that I think he was in a lose-lose situation.

Self Esteem

(1,899 posts)
28. What would have changed?
Tue Jan 14, 2025, 12:48 PM
Jan 14

This whole argument is just silly.

Garland steps down, another AG steps in, maybe someone more aggressive and then what?

I've concluded that so many of you people have completely ignored the last few years. Having a new AG would not have prevented the Supreme Court from its rulings. It would not have prevented delay after delay in Trump's trials. Nothing would have changed.

It is absolutely fantasy to think that Trump would have been tried at all ... or a complete lack of understanding of the law.

Trump was never going to face a federal trial in the four years between his leaving and running for reelection. Therefore, I ask again: WHAT CHANGES?

America knew for TWO FUCKING YEARS what Trump was going to be charged with and still happily voted for him. And some of you have convinced yourself that somehow Garland is to blame.

samsingh

(17,959 posts)
29. it seemed pretty obvious to me early on
Tue Jan 14, 2025, 12:50 PM
Jan 14

its horrifying that knowing the danger trump presents, we did not release every bit of information to the public.

Trump will do that whenever he wants now.

elias7

(4,219 posts)
34. Debating when ailing with a viral infection
Tue Jan 14, 2025, 01:20 PM
Jan 14

That debate was the absolute turning point. Republicans and Dems alike jumped all over him for incapacity, when it made him look much less in command than he is/was. Dems made the mistake of replacing him which subverted the democratic process of the primaries.

ReRe

(11,102 posts)
36. I think Biden's biggest mistakes were
Tue Jan 14, 2025, 01:26 PM
Jan 14

Garland and the MIC. Trump would NOT have become President again and Genocide would not have been committed in Gaza in our name. Yes, I'm a far left woke liberal and I'm proud of it. I'm squarely for DEMOCRACY in our land in all lands. I'm for LIVIING HEALTHY HUMAN BEINGS in our land and in all lands. I'm for NATO and it's growth. I'm for the complete restoration of WOMEN'S RIGHTS. I'm for the complete abolition of THE "CITIZENS UNITED" case. Citizens' United, since it gave way to legalization of money in our elections by the oligarchs. And I'm all for getting politics out of/and ethics back in the Supreme Court, once and for all.

 

VBNMW

(67 posts)
41. Drumpf was kept in play on purpose
Tue Jan 14, 2025, 04:13 PM
Jan 14

So that Biden could get an easy win against drumpf. They needed each other. Otherwise you might have an old man running against a younger more appealing candidate from either side.

Garland did what he was kept around to do. You know, "Nothing will fundamentally change.".

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Biden's biggest mistake.