Attorney General Merrick Garland is sounding the alarm about the perilous consequences of unfounded attacks on the Justice Department.

In an op-ed in The Washington Post on Tuesday, Garland wrote there has been an escalation of attacks in recent weeks “that go far beyond public scrutiny, criticism, and legitimate and necessary oversight of our work. They are baseless, personal and dangerous.”

Garland cited calls to defund special counsel Jack Smith’s investigations into former President Donald Trump, lies about FBI operations, efforts to bully and intimidate career public servants, and conspiracy theories aimed at undermining public trust in the judicial process, including baseless claims that Garland’s Justice Department colluded with the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office in Trump’s New York hush money case.

The attacks and disinformation are fueling threats against DOJ employees, the attorney general wrote.

“These heinous threats of violence have become routine in an environment in which the Justice Department is under attack like never before,” Garland wrote. 

He pointed to a case in which a California man was convicted last week of threatening to bomb an FBI field office where hundreds of people work. In one threat, the man wrote that he could go on a murder spree and “it would be very explainable by your actions,” according to prosecutors.

Trump and his Republican allies claim the Justice Department has grown politically motivated, arguing it has targeted Trump and protected President Joe Biden. Trump even recently promoted a baseless claim that FBI agents were prepared to shoot and kill him when they searched his Mar-a-Lago property for classified documents in 2022. When Republicans took control of the Senate last year, they launched a select subcommittee on the political weaponization of the federal government.

Garland said 45 years ago he worked on the Justice Department’s first-edition Principles of Federal Prosecution, which he described as “an unwavering commitment to the fair and impartial application of our laws,” adding, “That commitment has been sustained by dedicated career professionals who serve across administrations of both political parties.”

The attorney general added, “we know that our democracy cannot survive without a justice system that ensures the equal protection of law for all its citizens.”

Garland insisted investigators follow the facts and are not swayed by a person’s political affiliation, last name or personal wealth. 

He said those who accuse the Justice Department of “politicizing its work to somehow influence the outcome of an election” are often “themselves attempting to politicize the department’s work to influence the outcome of an election.”

Garland added, “The short-term political benefits of” using conspiracy theories, lies and violence to affect political outcomes “will never make up for the long-term cost to our country.”

The attorney general reiterated comments he made during a House Judiciary Committee hearing last week, writing: “We will not be intimidated by these attacks.”

“But,” he continued, “it is absurd and dangerous that public servants, many of whom risk their lives every day, are being threatened for simply doing their jobs and adhering to the principles that have long guided the Justice Department’s work.”

“Continued unfounded attacks against the Justice Department’s employees are dangerous for people’s safety,” Garland wrote. “They are dangerous for our democracy. This must stop.”

Garland’s essay was published on the same day the House Rules Committee is considering two resolutions to hold the attorney general in contempt of Congress for defying a subpoena.

House Republicans are demanding Garland turn over an audio recording of Biden’s interview with special counsel Robert Hur about Biden’s handling of classified documents.

Garland has refused to comply, arguing lawmakers already have the transcript of the interview and had the opportunity to question Hur. The attorney general also said releasing the audio could hurt future investigations. 

Meanwhile, Biden has asserted executive privilege to block release of the audio, an action recommended by Garland.

House Republicans say they want to hear the audio to determine if the transcript is accurate.