Republican lawmakers slammed the Justice Department and U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland last week for refusing to enforce existing law when it comes to protests outside the homes of Supreme Court justices.
Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., joined by Sens. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Mike Lee, R-Utah, wrote a letter to Garland claiming the Department of Justice (DOJ) “actively sought to dissuade” U.S. marshals from enforcing 18 U.S. Code § 1507, which makes it illegal to picket or parade near a federal judge’s residence “with the intent of interfering with, obstructing, or impeding the administration of justice.”
Left-wing activists began demonstrating outside justices’ homes — with the blessing of the White House — when a draft of the Dobbs v. Jackson opinion was leaked last May. According to recently revealed documents, marshals assigned to guard Supreme Court justices last year were directed not to arrest pro-abortion protesters. These documents appear to contradict previous statements Garland made to Congress.
[READ: Biden DOJ Throttled Arrests Of Violent Abortion Mob Surrounding Supreme Court Justices’ Homes]
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, wrote a letter to the head of the U.S. Marshals Service last week requesting pertinent details and information on the matter.
“Although federal law prohibits picketing near the residence of a federal judge with the intent to influence the judge’s official duties, recent evidence indicates that the U.S. Marshals protecting the justices were directed to ‘not’ conduct arrests ‘unless it was absolutely necessary,’” Jordan wrote.
This is the same Biden Justice Department that has aggressively prosecuted pro-life activists. Earlier this year, Mark Houck was acquitted of federal charges stemming from an incident outside an abortion facility in Pennsylvania. The Biden administration accused Houck of violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act and arrested the father of seven at his home. He faced up to 11 years in prison if convicted.
“The training materials provided to the U.S. Marshals strongly suggest that the Biden Administration is continuing to weaponize federal law enforcement agencies for partisan purposes,” Jordan wrote. “The directives for law enforcement to stand down are particularly troubling given the long line of recent left-wing attempts to intimidate and influence the Court.”
Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares was also highly critical of the DOJ and Garland last week, telling reporters and editors at The Washington Times, “There’s federal law right now to protect the justices, and that’s one of our biggest problems in government, is a lack of will.”
“It’s outrageous that these justices were going into hiding and fearing for their lives and then having individuals that were clearly, clearly trying to intimidate them,” Miyares told The Times. “These were actions done prior to the official [Dobbs] ruling. So it was clear they were trying and violating federal law, attempting to have them change their opinion.”
Miyares’ comments come as Democrats continue their assault on the high court, smearing Justices Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch in recent weeks over alleged ethics violations. Protesters also reportedly returned to Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s private residence late last week.
With the Supreme Court expected to release major decisions on student loan forgiveness, affirmative action, religious liberty, and more by the end of its term in June, it’s past time for the Biden administration to stop protecting its political supporters and start enforcing federal law.
