Attorney General Merrick Garland graded himself an “A” for his work on crime over his three years in office, though he told Congress on Tuesday that there is “room for improvement.”
The assessment appalled Rep. Mike Garcia, the California Republican who prodded Mr. Garland to grade himself and who said as the Biden administration’s head law enforcement official, he should have been much harsher.
“I’m going to give myself an ‘A,’ but with room for improvement,” Mr. Garland said, flashing a bit of a smile for lawmakers on the House Appropriations Committee.
“I would give you an ‘F,’” Mr. Garcia said.
He pointed to the chaos at the border and the massive death toll of fentanyl overdoses as evidence Mr. Garland is failing.
“Your giving yourself an A under these circumstances demonstrates a lack of self-awareness,” the lawmaker said.
He said his rating wasn’t personal, but “this is to help you get better.”
Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger, Maryland Democrat, said he wouldn’t give Mr. Garland an “A,” but he told the attorney general he was “close” to that grade.
“I feel secure at this point that you’re the best person for the job,” he said.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.
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