While the initial furor over the search of Donald Trump’s residence has subsided (it appears there could be substantial reasons for the search and that it yielded highly classified documents), I am disappointed that no Republican leader has stepped forward to defend the Department of Justice and Attorney General Merrick Garland as independent of political influence.

This episode may fully clear Mr. Trump, but it should also serve to reinforce the personal integrity of Attorney General Garland and the DOJ. Garland was approved by a vote of 70-30; the vote reflected his spotless reputation and scrupulous application of due process throughout his career.

Please, senators, make a statement about who our attorney general really is and how the Department of Justice is designed to work.

Michael Boyson
Portland