U.S. Department of Justice
GOP lawmakers push back against federal probe into threats against school board members
WASHINGTON — Congressional Republicans on Thursday objected to a move by the Justice Department to investigate violent threats made against local school board members and teachers, arguing that the federal agency is “policing the speech of citizens and concerned parents.” “Violence and true threats of violence should have no place in our civic discourse, but […]
FBI to investigate threats made against school board members, teachers
WASHINGTON — The Department of Justice has directed the FBI to meet with local governments and law enforcement to discuss strategies for dealing with increasing threats to teachers and school board members spurred by a conservative backlash against discussions of race in public schools. “Threats against public servants are not only illegal, they run counter to our […]
Think Texas politics is extreme? Ohio right-wing radicalism has taken over the state
Don’t kid yourself. Texas radicalism isn’t just coming to a state near you. It’s been in Ohio for a long while and getting worse. Understand that the abhorrent politics being practiced against Texans by the GOP is being mimicked by Republican copycats in Columbus. Hold that thought. Jaws dropped when Texas got away with enacting […]
Justice Department to increase legal staff amid surge in restrictive voting laws
WASHINGTON — The Department of Justice announced Friday that it is doubling its enforcement attorneys who will work to protect voting rights. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland’s announcement came as Republicans in state legislatures introduce and pass restrictive voting laws, such as limiting ballot boxes and requiring voter identification. “We are scrutinizing new laws that seek […]
Law enforcement officials urge action against rising numbers of ‘ghost guns’
WASHINGTON — An exponential increase in so-called “ghost guns” has put extra burdens on law enforcement, officials said during a U.S. Senate hearing Tuesday. President Joe Biden has promised a crackdown the firearms, which are easily assembled from kits and not subject to federal gun laws. Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison testified that his department […]
‘Loophole’ for failing charter schools blocked by state
Failing charters rejected. Cleveland.com’s Patrick O’Donnell is reporting, “The Ohio Department of Education has blocked a ‘loophole’ that would have given millions in tax dollars to charter schools with bad grades by using another. “The department on Friday announced the 63 charter schools that did qualify to share in the $30 million fund that Gov. Mike DeWine and the […]