Attorney General Merrick Garland came in with a mission to calm the waters at the Justice Department and restore its reputation for independence after four turbulent years under former President Donald Trump.

In a farewell speech to Justice Department staffers, outgoing Attorney General Merrick Garland on Thursday appeared to rebuke attacks from President-elect Donald Trump and his allies who have "wrongly criticized" the department as politically motivated.

Attorney General Merrick Garland said "norms" determine the principles upon which the Justice Department operates while bidding farewell to staffers after leading it over the past four years.

Attorney General Merrick Garland delivered his farewell address at the Department of Justice on Thursday. During his remarks, Garland emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law. “We know that only an independent Justice Department can ensure that the facts and the law alone will determine whether a person is investigated or prosecuted,