Attorney General Merrick Garland is going to testify to the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday and he is expected to face a number of questions ranging in topics.
Topics such as Texas’ abortion ban, voting rights, the border crisis and the Jan. 6 riots might be the biggest ones that have gotten the attention during his brief time.
Republicans have expressed their desire to determine how much the DOJ views purported threats from parents. The norms of what they see as a grassroots uprising has been disparaged by the National School Board Association (NSBA) for including intimidation and harassment.
Garland’s statement didn’t use the term “domestic terrorist” and explained that “spirited debate” was not the problem. But the concerns were raised because of the sent letter to the Biden administration suggesting that parents may be engaging in domestic terrorism.
The letter was about asking the administration to review its powers under The Patriot Act, passed after the attacks on 9/11.
School board criticism is not the domestic terrorism. In the statement: “While spirited debate about policy matters is protected under our Constitution, that protection does not extend to threats of violence or efforts to intimidate individuals based on their views.”
Regardless, critics have raised concerns with the probe, which injects federal law enforcement. Garland may be asked a couple questions about state laws that attempt to ban CRT and if those are constitutional. Garland is also set to face questions about his involvement in education. Garland’s son-in-law Xan Tanner co-founded Panorama Education, an education consulting firm. Panorama Education pushed CRT-related material and questions have risen about Garland’s involvement and how much he benefits from the firm.
Photo Cred: J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo
