Merrick Garland Quotes

Powerful Merrick Garland for Daily Growth

About Merrick Garland

Merrick Garland, born on November 18, 1952, in Chicago, Illinois, is a renowned American lawyer and jurist serving as the 17th and current U.S. Attorney General since March 2021. Although not widely recognized for his authorship, he has contributed significantly to legal literature through various scholarly articles and speeches. Raised in a family with a strong commitment to public service, Garland's parents, Sidney and Cärt Garland, were active members of the Chicago Jewish community. After graduating from Niles West High School in 1970, he went on to earn his Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard College in 1974 and later graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1977. Garland began his career as a law clerk for Judge Henry J. Friendly on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit before joining the esteemed Washington D.C. law firm Arnold & Porter. In 1989, he was appointed by President George H.W. Bush to serve as an Associate Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Garland's judicial philosophy emphasizes a balanced approach that respects both the rule of law and practical considerations. He is known for his thorough written opinions and clear, concise reasoning in decisions. His major works as a jurist include influential judgments on topics such as environmental protection, national security, and administrative law. In 2016, President Barack Obama nominated Garland to the Supreme Court of the United States to fill the vacancy created by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia. However, the Senate did not hold a confirmation hearing or vote on the nomination, leading to intense political controversy. Following Joe Biden's presidential victory in 2020, Garland was nominated and confirmed as U.S. Attorney General in March 2021. As U.S. Attorney General, Garland has focused on addressing violent crime, strengthening the Department of Justice's civil rights efforts, and increasing transparency within the department. Despite his prominent role in government, he remains a distinguished figure in legal academia and continues to contribute valuable insights to the field of law.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The rule of law is not a set of dusty volumes that gather dust on library shelves."

Merrick Garland's statement emphasizes that the Rule of Law is more than just written statutes or court rulings; it's an active, living principle that guides our daily lives. It signifies that every person, regardless of status, is subject to the law, ensuring fairness, justice, and equality under the law. This means the rule of law impacts all aspects of society, not just those issues with legal texts on library shelves. Instead, it permeates society, guiding our actions and decisions, and maintaining a balanced and equitable society.


"To be an effective prosecutor, you have to understand that justice isn't always about winning, it's about doing what's right."

This quote suggests that being an effective prosecutor involves not only achieving a victory in court but also ensuring that the actions taken are morally and ethically sound. In other words, it emphasizes that justice is not solely about triumphing over opponents but about upholding righteousness and fairness. It's a reminder that when making decisions within the judicial system, the ultimate goal should be to seek justice rather than simply pursuing a win at any cost.


"It is the responsibility of every citizen from the president of the United States down to the smallest child to support our courts and to respect their decisions."

This quote emphasizes the principle of equal respect for the judiciary, regardless of one's position or status in society. It underscores that upholding the integrity and authority of the courts is a shared responsibility among all citizens, from the highest office to the youngest member of our community. Respecting court decisions fosters a democratic culture where laws are applied fairly and equally, ensuring the protection of individual rights and maintaining social order.


"Courage and conviction are not just for the heroic and the famous. They are for each of us, everyday Americans, in our own lives."

This quote by Merrick Garland emphasizes that courage and conviction are universal qualities, not exclusive to heroes or the famous. He suggests that these virtues can be found in everyday life and applied by ordinary citizens in their personal endeavors. Essentially, he encourages everyone to stand firm in their beliefs and act courageously, regardless of their status or circumstances.


"I have faith in the American people because I've seen it myself—in courtrooms across this country, where they come together to seek justice, uphold the rule of law, and work towards a better future."

This quote by Merrick Garland emphasizes his trust and confidence in the American people. He believes that their inherent nature is to seek justice, uphold the rule of law, and strive for a better future. In courtrooms, these values are evident as people come together to work towards fairness and progress. This perspective highlights Garland's optimism about the United States and its citizens, reinforcing the idea that the democratic system can serve as a vehicle for positive change when guided by principles of justice and equality.


My grandparents left the Pale of Settlement at the border of western Russia and Eastern Europe in the early 1900s, fleeing anti-Semitism and hoping to make a better life for their children in America.

- Merrick Garland

Border, Eastern, Better Life

It strains credulity to suggest that an agency charged with gathering intelligence affecting the national security does not have an 'intelligence interest' in drone strikes, even if that agency does not operate the drones itself.

- Merrick Garland

Drones, Agency, Affecting, National Security

They tell you in Washington that if you want a friend, get a dog. That is not true. Get a family. This is a hard place to be.

- Merrick Garland

Want, Tell, Get, Hard Place

The great joy of being a prosecutor is that you don't take whatever case walks in the door. You evaluate the case; you make your best judgement. You only go forward if you believe that the defendant is guilty.

- Merrick Garland

Door, Forward, Judgement, Defendant

Everybody, I think, who hopes to become a judge would aspire to be able to write as well as Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes. None are going to be able to attain that.

- Merrick Garland

Think, Everybody, I Think, Oliver

For me, there can be no higher public service than serving as a member of the U.S. Supreme Court.

- Merrick Garland

Service, Than, Public, Serving

As my parents taught me, by both words and deeds, a life of public services is as much a gift to the person who serves as it is to those he's serving.

- Merrick Garland

Gift, Words, Deeds, Serving

Transparency in government, no less than transparency in choosing government, remains a vital national interest in a democracy.

- Merrick Garland

Government, Interest, Vital

I think there is no greater job anybody can have than having been a prosecutor.

- Merrick Garland

Think, Been, I Think, Prosecutor

The obligation of the judge in the circuit is to follow the previous decisions in the circuit unless those decisions are overruled by an en bloc panel of the court.

- Merrick Garland

Follow, Circuit, Previous, Obligation

People must be confident that a judge's decisions are determined by the law and only the law. He must be faithful to the Constitution and statutes passed by Congress. Fidelity to the Constitution and the law has been the cornerstone of my life and the hallmark of the kind of judge I have tried to be.

- Merrick Garland

My Life, Constitution, Been, Determined

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