Garland defends school board rating amid criticism from Republicans

WASHINGTON (AP) – Attorney General Merrick Garland defended himself on Wednesday a memo to tackle threats against school officials nationwide while Republicans insisted that he rescind the directive. He signaled that he had no plans to do so despite their criticism.

The memo took center stage when Garland appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee – his second congressional appearance in a week – and said he was intended to respond to violence and threats of violence directed against local school board officials.

The memo came out on October 4, less than a week after the National Association of School Boards wrote to the Biden administration about the threats against school officials and asked for help. Some school board meetings have turned into shouting contests on issues such as how race issues are taught, masks in schools and COVID-19 vaccines and testing requirements.

Republicans say Garland went too far in asking Justice Department divisions to coordinate with local law enforcement. In his memo, Garland said there had been “a worrying increase in harassment, intimidation and threats of violence against school administrators, board members, teachers and staff who participate in the vital work of managing public schools in our country “.

a accompanying press release mentioned the FBI, the Department’s Criminal Division, the National Security Division, the Civil Rights Division and other parties.

“The obligation of the Department of Justice is to protect the American people from violence and threats of violence and this particularly includes public officials,” Garland said.

Republicans on the Senate committee also seized a memo from Leif Johnson, the interim US attorney in Montana, to the state attorney general, county attorneys, sheriffs and state education officials. The memo outlines federal crimes that could be used in prosecutions for violence, harassment or intimidation of school board officials.

The Montana memo, obtained by The Associated Press, cites a dozen federal laws on conspiring to deprive someone of their civil rights to stalking and “anonymous phone harassment.” It asks recipients to contact the FBI “if you think someone has broken any of these laws.”

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Garland told senators he never received the note from the US attorney and did not know the details. A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Montana did not immediately respond to questions about whether Johnson consulted with senior Justice Department officials before releasing the memo.

“I’ve never seen this memo,” Garland said. “No one sent me this memo, so I didn’t see it.”

The National School Board Association has since said “we regret and apologize” for its letter, which requested federal help in addressing harassment and violence against school officials and said some of the actions could be “domestic terrorism”.

The original letter called on the federal government to investigate instances where threats or violence could be treated as violations of federal laws protecting civil rights. The association called on the Department of Justice, FBI, Homeland Security and the Secret Service to help monitor threat levels and assess risks to students, educators, board members. and school buildings.

The letter documented more than 20 cases of threats, harassment, disruption and intimidation in California, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, Ohio and other states. He cited the September arrest of an Illinois man for aggravated bodily harm and disorderly conduct for allegedly hitting a school official during a meeting. In Michigan, a meeting was disrupted when a man gave a Nazi salute to protest the masking.

Garland said parents have the right to voice their concerns to school boards, but his main concern is whether this escalates into violence or when threats emerge. During questioning on Wednesday, Garland said giving a Nazi salute would be protected by the First Amendment. He also admitted that he did not have a count of the number of incidents.

At least two Republican senators – senses Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Josh Hawley of Missouri – have called for Garland’s resignation for his handling of the memo.

“It’s shameful,” Cotton exclaimed. “You should resign in disgrace.”