October 27, 2021
Heated school board meetings — whether it’s about curriculum or masks and vaccines have been all over social media. And the Department of Justice has gotten involved. But why? And is it true they’re treating parents as domestic terrorists?
I’ll get to the whole “domestic terrorist” thing in a second.
First – what’s going on?
The Attorney General Merrick Garland has been grilled by Congress over the last two days over this one-page memo he sent to the FBI and state attorney generals on October 4th. That memo outlines the department of justice’s policy to partner with federal, state, local, tribal and territorial law enforcement to address threats against school board members, administrators, teachers and staff. The very first paragraph stresses – it’s every parent’s constitutional right to engage in “spirited debate” about school policies involving their kids but that right does not extend to threats of violence or intimidation of individuals based on their views. It goes on to say threats against public servants is illegal.
Some parent groups and even some lawmakers think the memo itself is uncalled for and will scare parents into staying silent.
So how did this come to be?
Part of it – is because of this letter sent to the president from the National School Boards Association on September 29. The very first sentence of this six-page letter says – “America’s public schools and its education leaders are under an immediate threat”. And it says “immediate assistance is required.”
The Attorney General testified today – that yes – this letter from the School Boards Association was considered when he drafted his memo just 5 days later.
Now…let’s talk about the domestic terrorist allegations. That School Boards Association memo suggests the acts of “malice, violence and threats against school officials” is equivalent to a form of “domestic terrorism.” And it should be classified as such. The also worth noting – the attorney general’s memo never once mentioned the words “domestic terrorists.”
Here’s what’s interesting – after backlash from parents and other groups – the National School Boards Association apologized for the letter. But in this one-page apology posted on October 22nd, they did not technically withdraw their request for federal intervention nor did they specifically say which language in their original letter was the basis for the apology.
The Attorney General today vehemently defended his memo, refused to apologize for it and refused to rescind it.
Read the October 4 Attorney General memo here.
Read the September 29th National School Boards Association letter to POTUS here.
Read the October 22nd National School Boards Association apology letter here.
You are blessed with a beautiful Voice. I could listen to you all day. You are extremely intelligent and beautiful!
Thank You! 😊
Lisa, thank you for your excellent reporting on this critically important story! Your analysis is impeccable, and your links to the original source documents are extremely helpful; I read all three letters, and I agree with everything you said.
The NSBA was right to ask that local and state law enforcement receive federal assistance and coordination to fight the rising violence against school board members, administrators, teachers, parents, and students. These acts of violence, threats of retaliation, and intimidation of others based on their views do, in fact, meet the definition of terrorism: terrorism is defined as the use violence, threats, and intimidation against civilians to achieve a political goal. What political goal? It’s plain as day: Republicans have politicized the global COVID-19 pandemic and are using it as a wedge issue to divide the country and consolidate their political power.
The NSBA is fully justified in saying that violent interference with school boards may be domestic terrorism. It is terrorism, and we must expose these heinous acts for what they are, not capitulate to GOP “tone policing.” The NSBA should not have apologized for using accurate and appropriate language in its original letter, which has extensive footnotes documenting all of its factual claims. Apologizing to bullies only escalates the bullying! Fortunately, Attorney General Garland is standing his ground without apology, exactly as he should.
Republican response to AG Garland’s memo is beyond disingenuous: it is morally bankrupt. DOJ and FBI involvement should have a chilling effect — on criminal behavior — which is what these federal actions are targeting, not the lawful participation of parents in civil public debate. It is not surprising that Republicans have sided with the bullies since Republicans instigated the bullying in the first place. Republican leaders directed baseless criticisms at the AG to distract us from the truth: that the domestic terrorism they incited is having a chilling effect on the lawful governance of our public education system. All people of good conscience must unite in unflinching opposition to stop these criminals now.
Thank you, Lisa, for keeping us informed with your exemplary reporting. You are a national treasure!
I really appreciate your thoughtful comment. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts.
Wow! Thank you for this information. It is very informative! Great job!
You’re welcome. Glad I can help.