Documents obtained by America First Legal (AFL) indicate that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) targeted parents at school board meetings as potential threats, despite objections from FBI officials and the National Sheriffs' Association. The documents relate to a memorandum issued by former Attorney General Merrick Garland on October 4, 2021, which addressed concerns raised by parents during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On the day the memo was released, FBI Deputy Assistant Director Jay Greenberg expressed concerns via email, requesting additional time for discussion before the memo's messaging was disseminated. Some DOJ officials also voiced apprehension that the strategy could negatively impact election efforts. One official stated that the approach might harm the reputation of the Public Integrity Section.
The National Sheriffs' Association communicated to DOJ officials that its members had not reported any threats to local school boards and would have appreciated prior notice regarding the memo. Despite these concerns, Garland's memo emphasized that threats against public servants are illegal and undermine core national values. The FBI subsequently established a new threat tag, "EDUOFFICIALS," to enforce the memo.