WASHINGTON–U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) joined Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-KS) and their colleagues seeking clarification from Attorney General Merrick Garland regarding his recent memorandum laying out the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) intention to investigate threats of violence, harassment and intimidation against school board members. The DOJ memo raises serious concerns about parents’ ability to voice criticism of education policies and hold leaders responsible for them accountable.
“While we agree with the sentiment that there is absolutely no environment in which it is acceptable that school administrators, board members, teachers, and staff would be subject to real threats of violence, we believe any threat that constitutes a clear and imminent threat of intended violence should be investigated and prosecuted by local law enforcement officers. We also believe parents have the right to voice their concerns, opinions, and frustrations to public servants,” wrote the senators.
“It is not the job of the federal government to institute a witch hunt against parents effectively penalizing them by investigating dissent,” the senators continued.
The letter was also signed by Senators Mike Braun (R-IN), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), James Lankford (R-OK), John Barrasso (R-WY), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Jim Inhofe (R-OK), Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Deb Fischer (R-NE).
Text of the letter can be viewed here
Original source can be found here.
