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School boards group gets wish: DOJ to look into ‘terrorist’-like activities by irate constituents

Just a few days ago the National School Boards Association sent a letter to President Biden asking him to considering labeling parents and community members who protest school boards and educators as “domestic terrorists.”

Now it has gotten its wish. Mostly.

Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Justice put out a press release indicating it will be looking into “violent threats” against school-related officials.

“Threats against public servants are not only illegal, they run counter to our nation’s core values,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said. “Those who dedicate their time and energy to ensuring that our children receive a proper education in a safe environment deserve to be able to do their work without fear for their safety.”

But in Garland’s letter to the FBI and U.S. Attorneys, he goes beyond alleged “violent threats,” saying there’s also been a “disturbing spike in harassment [and] intimidation” against school board members. And in its letter, recall the National School Boards Association had complained about constituents’ alleged “acts of malice” and “aggression.”

For the NSBA, “domestic terrorism” could be giving a “Nazi salute” in opposition to school mask mandates or going over a designated time limit when criticizing critical race theory.

MORE: Anatomy of an arrogant and clueless school board

The DOJ indicated it will “create specialized training and guidance for local school boards and school administrators” which will “help school board members and other potential victims understand the type of behavior that constitutes threats.”

From Garland’s statement:

Threats against public servants are not only illegal, they run counter to our nation’s core values. Those who dedicate their time and energy to ensuring that our children receive a proper education in a safe environment deserve to be able to do their work without fear for their safety.

The Department takes these incidents seriously and is committed to using its authority and resources to discourage these threats, identify them when they occur, and prosecute them when appropriate. In the coming days, the Department will announce a series of measures designed to address the rise in criminal conduct directed toward school personnel.

The Attorney General’s message concludes: “The Department is steadfast in its commitment to protect all people in the United States from violence, threats of violence, and other forms of intimidation arid harassment.”

If this is indeed the case, one might ask Garland why so many cases from last summer’s rioting have been dropped by the feds. Remember, too, that President Biden considers Antifa just “an idea.”

Read the DOJ and Garland statements.

MORE: School board members defend CRT trainings, but don’t know what’s in them

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About the Author
Associate Editor
Dave has been writing about education, politics, and entertainment for over 20 years, including a stint at the popular media bias site Newsbusters. He is a retired educator with over 25 years of service and is a member of the National Association of Scholars. Dave holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Delaware.