U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, preparing to step down from his post, will urge career civil servants at the Justice Department on Thursday not to let unfair criticism prevent them from doing what is right for the country.

Merrick Garland left his colleagues at the Department of Justice a heartfelt message to "remember who you are" as their leadership transitions.

US Attorney General Merrick Garland defended the Justice Department under his leadership and said prosecutions were driven by "justice, not politics."