Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse (R-NE), and members of the Senate Judiciary Committee wrote on Tuesday to Attorney General Merrick Garland, requesting that he return to the committee to provide additional testimony regarding his school board memo, according to a press release.
The Tennessee Star reported Attorney General Garland sent out a memo announcing the Department of Justice and the FBI are launching an effort to address the alleged increase in “threats” made against school officials.
“Threats against public servants are not only illegal, they run counter to our nation’s core values,” Garland wrote in the October 4th memo. “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.”
Garland testified in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee on October 27 regarding the memo, however, in the letter sent by the lawmakers Tuesday, Garland is asked to testify again in order to “clarify” his previous testimony.
“We write to request that you return to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee to clarify your testimony of October 27 and to provide this Committee with additional information regarding the actions that the Department of Justice and the FBI are engaged in pursuant to your Memorandum of October 4,” the lawmakers write in the letter. “We remain deeply concerned that your October 4 Memorandum is being used by the DOJ and the FBI as a basis to pursue investigations against American parents for First Amendment-protected activities.”
In concluding their letter, the lawmakers request that Garland “work with the Committee staff to schedule another hearing as soon as possible.”
Senators Blackburn and Sasse were joined by Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Mike Lee (R-UT), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Ted Cruz (R-TX) in sending the letter.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected]
Photo “Marsha Blackburn” by Marsha Blackburn. Photo “Merrick Garland” by Senate Democrats. CC BY 2.0.
More political theater. People getting grilled just to throw some red meat the party loyalist, so these empty suits can try and say they ‘tried’ when they are up for reelection.
Marsha, I’m still waiting on indictments, repeal/replace, and so much more. Where’s it at, honey? I demand accountability!