The House Judiciary Committee, pursuant to the US Constitution, Supreme Court precedent, and House rules, last week subpoenaed documents from the FBI and Department of Justice (DOJ) related to unjustified, reprehensible use of federal “counterterrorism” powers – against parents speaking at school board meetings against leftist policies. FBI Director Wray and Attorney General Garland – are refusing to comply. Where is the honor? And what is next?
The facts are admitted and frightening. The Biden White House pressured the National Association of School Boards (NASB) to draft a letter “asking” DOJ to use the “Patriot Act” – post-911 counterterrorism legislation – against parents speaking at school board meetings against endangering girls with transgender policies, pushing Marxism via Critical Race Theory (CRT), and interminable “mask mandates.” This was admitted in November 2021.
The NASB letter, repudiated by NASB after 26 state school boards objected, 20 quitting the organization, was sent to Biden’s AG Garland. Garland in turn, likely as orchestrated with the White House, created a “counterterrorism task force” to “investigate” and “prosecute” parents (largely conservative) who speak at school board meetings against leftist policies. The anti-parent task force has not been disbanded.
Emblematic of how the Biden-Garland-Wray, anti-parent counterterrorism task force works, a Virginia father was wrestled to the floor and arrested for speaking out against transgender policies, after his daughter was raped in the bathroom. So out of control is the Biden DOJ in going after parents for speaking up to defend their children, that the Texas AG has sued the Biden Administration for “silencing parents” and labeling them “domestic terrorists.”
Incredibly, even after the NASB admitted they were put up to the letter by the Biden White House, after they fully repudiated the letter and apologized for ever penning it, after parents’ groups nationwide, political leaders, and media outlets demanded the mischaracterization of vocal parents as “domestic terrorists” is utterly anti-American, Biden, Garland, and Wray continue to investigate parents, the task force still exists, and no White House, DOJ, or FBI apology to America for this overreach has occurred.
Against THIS backdrop – one of utter disregard by the Biden White House, DOJ, and FBI for established legal precedent, social norms, State, local, and parental prerogatives – the newly convened Republican-led US House Judiciary Committee has said “enough!” They have subpoenaed documents seeking the origin, intent, and breadth of anti-constitutional overreach.
Incredibly, the Biden White House, DOJ, and FBI have refused to comply, pretending all is well, power to decline a subpoena is within their authority, cooperation is occurring, no improper actions occurred, and the US House has no right to compel their production of documents.
As the former chief counsel and staff director, 1995 to 1999, for the US House Oversight Committee’s subcommittee investigating mis, mal, and non-feasance by the US Justice Department – this level of DOJ and FBI audacity is stunning.
At no time did the Clinton Administration Justice Department – even when we were investigating potential criminal behavior by FBI, ATF, INS, CBP, and other agencies – ever bluntly decline to comply with a legal, targeted, not-overly broad US House subpoena for documents. House Judiciary – and House Oversight – are completely with in their rights.
As if we needed another piece of evidence – indicating exactly HOW out of control, beyond constitutional norms and oversight, indifferent to basic accountability this Administration is, we now have it.
An Administration that boldly refuses to enforce laws aimed at protecting parents, Supreme Court Justices, and the border – which expressly targets parents and peaceful pro-life protestors exercising textual First Amendment rights in ways long respected in this country, now refuses to comply with lawful, specific, entirely justified, impeccably drafted congressional subpoenas.
The real question – the one that must be asked with diligence, consistency, and without hesitancy is this: Where has the rule of law gone? How can this administration credibly seek compliance with federal laws by any American citizen, when it flouts a basic tool of discovery, a subpoena?
At a moment when public trust is in peril, when classified documents found in a former vice president’s home and office (underwritten by China through a university) were accessible by his son, in the pay of China – why, how, and for what earthy reason would an Attorney General and FBI Director bluntly refuse compliance with a lawful subpoena? Selective, voluntary production is not compliance – no one knows that better than the AG and FBI Director.
The only answer is disrespect for average Americans, indifference to constitutional prerogatives, no reference or reverence for “separation of powers,” and a sense that – with control over the Justice Department – they are above the law.
What can be done about this? Not a lot, except continued public discussion, pressure by the transparency-focused House Republicans on getting compliance through the courts, and an appeal to those Democrats who still respect oversight and separation of powers on harmonizing for compliance. In the end, America runs on honor – with it, we shine; without it, we are nothing.
Robert Charles is a former Assistant Secretary of State under Colin Powell, former Reagan and Bush 41 White House staffer, attorney, and naval intelligence officer (USNR). He wrote “Narcotics and Terrorism” (2003), “Eagles and Evergreens” (2018), and is National Spokesman for AMAC.
Communist at its BEST !!!!
Well RBC, I have to say this is article is setting expectations of the public appropriately for a change. No pie in the sky blind optimism, that everything will just “work out”. No setting of hopes based on the Justice Department officials just “doing the right thing”. Just an honest and realistic assessment of where we are and the limited options on the table. Very well done and much appreciated. Now the long, slow dance through the courts to attempt to get some response from the Executive Branch players discussed begins yet again.
When I heard last week that virtually all the letters sent to the various entities of the Justice Department had gone unanswered by their requested due date, it just confirmed what I had expected would happen. Yes, the Republicans in the House have subpoena power, but they have no way to enforce compliance if the various members of the Executive Branch simply refuse to comply, short of the long, slow court route.
Under normal circumstances, the Speaker of the House would simply issue a request to the Justice Department to enforce a subpoena issued by the House to get a requested party to appear before Congress. However, when the party in question are members of the Justice Department themselves, and they are all members of the opposing political party that doesn’t want to “play nice”, then things kind of break down. Yes, they can go the court route, but as we both know that can result in several weeks, if not months of delay. All of which will be spun by the Democrats and the MSM, that the Republicans in the House can’t get anything done. All of which was completely predictable.
So here we are now hoping the members of Justice Department being discussed even know what honor is. From what I’ve observed of all the players mentioned to date, I seriously doubt the concept of honor ever enters their minds. It’s pretty clear that neither the White nor anyone in leadership in the various Executive Branch departments and agencies is going to aid the Republicans in the House as to uncovering all the corrupt activities that this and other past Democrat administrations have undertaken in order to ensure the administrative state continues to march on unobstructed.
It’s pretty clear what the Democrat strategy is. They intend to delay and obstruct at every turn. Burning up valuable time and resources on the Republican side until the Democrats hope to re-take the House of Representatives in 2024, along with maintaining control of the Senate and the White House. That is the one area where the Democrats are transparent. They telegraph their long-term game plans on a regular basis.
Justice Dept. too busy destroying evidence. Especially, since a lot of it links it straight to DICTATOR Beijing biden and Hunter.
Still waiting on the 24/7 coverage by FAKE news on DICTATOR Beijing biden STEALING Sensitive Highly Classified Documents and HIDING them everywhere WITHOUT National Security Clearance and Hunter with daddy SELLING Classified Documents to Russia and especially to Communist China.
The Justice Dept. took lessons from HILLDOG Clinton in DESTROYING Evidence ILLEGALLY.
End / Repeal the so called “Patriot Act” It is the worst thing to happen to the US of A ,since the unconstitutional Federal Highway Act. Over reach at it’s finest. Any patriot may be attacked or arrested based on any Sheriff or judicial statement suggesting terrorism.
Just like the last line says “without HONOR America is nothing” which is exactly what this presindency wants and with control over the judiciary & the FBI they have declared that they are above the Law. Our only recourse then is to (as they are doing) enforce the laws of the land by FORCE!!!! All law-abiding citizens must STOP WORKING, bring the economy to a stand still and millions of us go and physically put Biden & more importantly his lackies that prop him up, the heads of the FBI and judiciary into a concentration camp permanetly and take back our Country based on the Constitution period!!!
Nancy Pelosi is still a member of the House. She knows where the bodies are buried and she will use that knowledge to keep fellow democrats in line. No voting with Republicans to get the subpoenas honored. I wonder how much money Nancy gets paid from the Chinese to help destroy my country. Treason and traitor are ugly words
Joe Biden is a complete coward! He keeps bragging about how tough he is, and how no one f—-s with a Biden, we, and Congress need to call him out, and challenge him to accountability for what he is doing to our country. If we and congress, at every opportunity play on his pride to the point out what a coward he truly is, his pride will bring him down. “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18. The problem is getting through MSM, but if our congressmen and conservative talk shows at every chance humiliate him personally about what a coward he is, he may expose his weaknesses.
These people think they are kings! WTH
This is where Congress’ power of the purse comes in . . . no cooperation then no money . . . and the coming debt limit action will be the perfect place to start!!!
It’s way past time to call a halt to Comrade Joe, his consigliere Garland, and all his capos (Wray, Mayorkas, et.al.)
American press and media must share responsibility for this as well. The noncompliance of these agencies seldom gets attention from them, and – more vitally – seldom gets reported BY them to the American public. If more people in the country understood what steps this administration is taking to destroy American government, particularly the rule of LAW, the more reaction and pushback the lawless government would receive.
Where has the rule of law gone? That’s an easy question, it’s gone out the window! The law only applies to conservatives and patriotic Americans. If you happen to be left of center then the law doesn’t apply to you. Case in point, diaper joe steals an election and nothing happens. Trump get’s elected and is harassed from day one with Russia, Russia, Russia which we all know was made up.
We have parents arrested for voicing their opinion at school board meetings all because they are concerned with what their children are learning. Yet in the same schools there are now freaks dressed as women reading books to their children telling them it’s alright to be a girl if you’re a boy, and vice versa…if fact they are encouraging it, but nothing is being done about that.
It appears to me that if you’re a Heterosexual Christian Conservative, then you’re fair game. All others need not worry for you’re beliefs and sexual orientation are protected. Look at last week when AOC and other members of the democratic party gave speeches on the House floor condemning the evil racist Republicans for booting Omar from the House Intelligence Committee. Every dem starting with AOC stated that the reason for her dismissal was because of her race and the fact she was a Muslim, forget the fact she’s been committing treason.
Rule of law…please, that went out the window during the Clinton administration.
Sounds like domestic terrorists are running the FBI and DOJ…the only place for them is Gitmo!!
Without a viable national media to let the average citizen know exactly how these criminals are operating on their behalf, and on their dime, there is no hope for correcting this situation! Also, with corrupt elections, we find ourselves on the precipice of becoming just another failed and doomed nation for the history books! I weep for the country I once loved!
If they do not want to comply with Congress, who is paying for their existence with our money, their leaders should be held in contempt of Congress and funding to the FBI and DOJ cut off until they comply. Once we know who is responsible, they should be removed from their position and prosecuted for any wrongdoing found. This is the only way these out of control bureaucrats are going to be put back in their proper order.
The only thing for congress to do is cut the funding to the DOJ and the FBI. The only thing that talks to these people is $$. I wish I could just ignore summons from the government!
The Justice department stonewalling? What a surprise. If it was President Trump, they’d be all over it.
Put them all in jail. They and the rest of Bidum’s criminal administration have broken many of America’s laws. Time for them to pay!
God will take care of all this. The time appears closer, read second Timothy chapter three verses one through five. If we aren’t living in the time described, I’d be amazed. We’re told to love and obey God. Obedience includes not lying. He is coming back. First the church will be raptured. Then Satan will have a major time of rule called the tribulation. It will seem good at first when the antichrist makes a peace treaty for Israel among other likeable things. He’ll break it at three and a half years. Then God will pour out wrath on the earth that will make covid seem like a walk in the park. People will be told to worship the antichrist or have no ability to buy or sell food among other controls. Now is the time of decision regarding which side you want to be on before that time comes.
Well looks like the Biden admin is above the law and will not comply so why should we?