In a new interview with NBC’s Lester Holt, Attorney General Merrick Garland said that he doesn’t rule out prosecuting Trump for his role in the January 6, 2021 insurrection at the US Capitol. 

Garland said, “We intend to hold everyone, anyone who was criminally responsible for the events surrounding January 6, for any attempt to interfere with the lawful transfer of power from one administration to another, accountable. That’s what we do.” 

Holt confronted Garland with the question  about whether prosecuting Trump could “arguably tear the country apart. Do you have to think of things like that?” 

Garland responded, “Look, we pursue justice without fear or favor.”

When asked if the possibility of Trump running again would change his approach, Garland responded, “We don’t pay any attention to other issues with respect to that.”

“I’ll say again that we will hold accountable anyone who is criminally responsible for attempting to interfere with the transfer – legitimate, lawful transfer of power from one administration to the next,” Garland repeated.

The Justice Department’s (DOJ) probe into events surrounding the 2020 election, which Garland heads, has been underway for some time, but most of its activities are kept quiet. On Friday, a grand jury heard testimony from former Vice-President’s Pence’s chief of staff, Marc Short, in response to a subpoena. Another top former White House official testified a few weeks ago. 

The DOJ investigation is separate from the House select committee probe, but is no doubt being influenced by it. In fact, Rep. Liz Cheney, the vice-chair of the House committee, said in a live hearing that the committee was considering making criminal referrals to DOJ prosecutors.