Heitkamp, former DOJ Prosecutors Speak about Garland's Role in Managing Oklahoma City Bombing Case on 21st Anniversary

On the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp today joined former U.S. Department of Justice prosecutors who worked with Merrick Garland as he managed the on-the-ground investigation of the Oklahoma City bombing -- at the time the nation's worst domestic terrorist attack which took place 21 years ago today.

Garland led the federal investigation and prosecution of the Oklahoma City bombing case that eventually brought Timothy McVeigh to justice. During the case, Garland -- now D.C. Circuit Court Chief Judge and U.S. Supreme Court nominee -- served as the Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General in the U.S. Department of Justice.

A former Attorney General of North Dakota, Heitkamp spoke of hearing from Garland during their one-on-one meeting two weeks ago about the impact that case and his role as a federal prosecutor had on him. Beth Wilkinson and Donna Bucella, prosecutors during the Oklahoma City bombing hearing with Garland, both talked about how Garland led the investigation and prosecution during a very difficult time, and how they relied on his leadership and his meticulous and exemplary legal work throughout the case. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), who also participated, discussed his time as Attorney General of Connecticut and his work with Garland. The Constitutional Responsibility Project today launched a new video explaining Garland's work throughout the case. Click here for video of the entire press conference.

"When I recently met Judge Garland, it was an opportunity to understand the kind of person he is. To him, his work as a public servant is meaningful and his time leading the Oklahoma City bombing case 21 years ago shaped him," said Heitkamp. "He was on the ground within 24 hours of the bombing, and throughout the investigation, he carried with him a program from the memorial service with the names of each victim. That tells you about the kind of person Judge Garland is. As a former attorney general of North Dakota, I had to prosecute my share of difficult and complicated cases. No case though can prepare you for the horrors experienced that day in Oklahoma City, but Judge Garland handled the job with determination and grace as he sought justice for the victims and their families. Now, the U.S. Senate needs to step up and do its job as well -- regardless of how senators vote -- by holding a public hearing which is the ultimate job interview for a nominee and a vote on Judge Garland's nomination."

In the wake of the bombing, Garland traveled to Oklahoma to oversee the case, and in the following months coordinated every aspect of the government's response -- working with federal agents, law enforcement, rescue workers, local officials, and others to bring the perpetrators to justice. He also kept in close touch with survivors and victims' families throughout the case -- and has remained in touch with many of them to this day. Later, former Republican Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating wrote that during his work on the Oklahoma City bombing case, Garland "distinguished himself in a situation where he had to lead a highly complicated investigation and make quick decisions during critical times."

Heitkamp met with Garland during a private meeting for about an hour in her office earlier in the month. In February, Heitkamp spoke on the floor of the U.S. Senate about why the Senate needs to do its job and fully consider Garland's nomination.

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