Kevin McCarthy, House Minority Leader, recently spoke out about the Department of Justice’s policy of cracking down on any alleged “threats of violence” against school officials.
McCarthy said the push is part of an effort by Democrats to muzzle parents.
“President Biden’s latest decision is part of a disturbing trend in the Democrat Party to silence parents. We should encourage family participation in our schools, not baselessly attack opposing views because leftist groups want control over curriculums,” McCarthy said.
The issue arose after the DOJ decided to up its efforts to combat an alleged increase in threats and violence directed at school officials and school boards.
Across the country, parents have been attending board meetings to voice their outrage and displeasure with the use of curricula using critical race theory and Covid-19 restrictions.
“Threats against public servants are not only illegal, but they also run counter to our nation’s core values,” stated Attorney General Merrick Garland.
“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.”
AG Garland directed federal law enforcement agencies to work with local and state law enforcement to discuss how to approach the alleged “disturbing trend” of harassment directed toward school officials.
Targeting parents
In a statement, McCarthy accused Democrats of being guilty of their own “disturbing trend.” He argued that the new Department of Justice effort was a blatant attempt to “silence parents from having a say in their own children’s education.”
“We saw it last week when Virginia Democrat gubernatorial candidate, Terry McAuliffe, said parents shouldn’t have a say in what their children are taught, and it continues this week with the Biden administration labeling parents with concerns and dissenting opinions as domestic terrorists,” he said.
McCarthy, a Republican from California, argued that parents should not be targeted by investigations but should be encouraged to participate in public school systems.
“Parents have a fundamental right to be lawfully involved in their children’s education. We should encourage family participation in our school systems, not baselessly attack opposing views because some liberal education officials and special interest groups see it as a threat to the power they want to have over what children learn in America’s classrooms.”
McCarthy clarified that congressional Republicans would be “demanding answers” from the Biden administration on the new policy.
