Attorney General Garland takes steps to respond to ‘disturbing spike’ in threats against educators

Garland taps FBI in response to ‘disturbing spike’ in threats against educators Recent school board meetings have been packed with protestors who denounce Covid-19 mask mandates, political interpretations of critical race theory and other highly-politicized issues. Juan Perez Jr. POLITICO

Attorney General Merrick Garland on Monday ordered federal law enforcement authorities to huddle with local leaders in the coming weeks to address what the nation’s top prosecutor called a recent “disturbing spike in harassment, intimidation, and threats of violence” against educators and school board members.

The Justice Department will also unveil a series of additional measures in the coming days to “address the rise in criminal conduct directed toward school personnel,” Garland wrote in a memorandum to federal prosecutors and FBI Director Christopher Wray. The department said they're expected to include a training program and a new federal task force stacked with representatives from the department's criminal, civil rights and national security divisions. ...

The Justice Department’s plans mark a notable escalation of the government’s response to school board meetings packed with protestors who denounce Covid-19 mask mandates, political interpretations of critical race theory and other highly-politicized issues that affect classroom learning and school safety. ...