Republicans Blast FBI for Targeting Outspoken Parents at School Board Meetings
"Attorney General Garland is weaponizing the DOJ by using the FBI to pursue concerned parents and silence them through intimidation,” - Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis
A new FBI focus on parents accused of harassing school officials around the country over curriculum and COVID-19 policies is being criticized by Republican lawmakers as government overreach by targeting outspoken parents and an attempt to curb speech rights.
Attorney General Merrick Garland announced Tuesday night that he has directed the FBI to look into parents who have protested at local school board meetings around the country, calling it a "disturbing trend."
Garland said in his memorandum that the debates have led to threats of violence against school officials.
Debates over critical race theory, COVID-19 mandates, transgender policies, and other issues have embroiled many local districts in controversy. The tension has led to many raucous school board meetings nationwide.
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