Staff Reports
In the latest development in the ongoing battle over a school board memo, Republican Congressman Kevin Kiley is calling on Attorney General Merrick Garland to withdraw the controversial document. Kiley points to recent testimony from Biden administration officials to support his argument that the memo’s language is “unjustified.” The GOP has long argued that the directive unfairly targets conservative parents, and they have been demanding its repeal since its publication.
The memo, which was issued by Garland in October 2021, sought to address threats against school officials over issues like COVID-19 policies and school curricula. It followed a request from the National School Boards Association (NSBA). However, the NSBA later apologized for its request, admitting that some of the language included was unwarranted.
House Republicans, after taking control of the lower chamber, launched an investigation into the memo, concluding that there was “no legitimate basis” for it. They claimed that it was released for political purposes, which has been a common accusation against the Biden administration.
Kiley specifically highlighted FBI Director Christopher Wray’s recent testimony, in which he admitted that there was no “compelling evidence” to support Garland’s memo. This further strengthens the case against the directive.
Despite the mounting pressure to withdraw the memo, Garland has stood firm in his defense of it. He maintains that it was necessary to address violence and threats against school personnel, not to stifle parental complaints. Democrats have also come to Garland’s defense, dismissing the GOP’s accusations as baseless conspiracy theories.
It remains to be seen whether Garland will heed the calls to rescind the memo, but this latest push from Kiley and other Republicans adds to the growing controversy surrounding the issue. The battle lines are drawn, and the stakes are high as both sides continue to grapple over the contentious school board memo.
