Attorney General Merrick Garland warned of threats to democracy in the United States and abroad in a graduation speech at Harvard University on Sunday.
Leading the news: Garland, a Harvard student, noted efforts to undermine the right to vote, violence against private groups of people, the January 6 attack on the US Capitol and the Russian invasion of Ukraine abroad as the “many ways.” in which democracy is threatened. “
- Garland also urged students, members of the 2020 and 2021 graduate classes, to dedicate part of their lives to public service.
- “There’s a particular reason why my call for public service is especially urgent for your generation,” he said. “It is an urgency that each of you must move, regardless of the career you choose. It is an urgent need to defend democracy.”
What he is saying: “You are the next generation that you have to dedicate yourself to preserving our democracy and helping others protect yours,” Garland said. “And while what I’m asking you to do is discouraging, I know you’re the next generation to live up to the promise of this country. I know our democracy will be stronger when it’s your turn to take over.”