Attorney General Issues Guidance On Communications with the White House

On July 21, Attorney General Merrick Garland issued new guidelines for the Department of Justice’s communications with the White House. The five-page memorandum issues guidance for a number of areas including, “Communications Concerning National Security Matters,” “White House Requests for Legal Opinions” and “Communications with the Pardon Attorney.” On pending criminal or civil matters, Garland writes, “the Justice Department will not advise the White House concerning pending or contemplated criminal or civil law enforcement investigations or cases unless doing so is important for the performance of the PResident’s duties and appropriate from a law enforcement perspective.” At the end of the memorandum, the attorney general notes that “these guidelines are an essential element of the norms that ensure the Department's adherence to the rule of law.” You can read the memorandum here and below.