DOJ Internal Revolt: Emails Reveal Turmoil Over Merrick Garland’s Memo Targeting Parents

However, newly released emails indicate deep reservations among DOJ leadership. One deputy assistant attorney general wrote, “I don’t think it’s possible to state how strongly I object to this. It will completely and totally nuke our election threats efforts, and will damage the reputation of the Public Integrity Section into the bargain.” The official added, “It’s like they’ve affirmatively trying to make this thing not work and look political.” Another comment in the email chain read, “If they do this, they might as well rename the damn thing the Anti-MAGA Task Force.” The chief of the DOJ’s Public Integrity Section responded with “Exactly! Stupid, stupid, stupid.”

Concerns were also raised about the DOJ’s authority to address purported threats to school board members in the manner proposed. “We will not do this,” wrote one principal deputy assistant attorney general. “There is no conceivable connection to [public integrity] (indeed, I’m not seeing a federal interest of any kind.). And if they’re going to make the AG’s memo to the field about this and election threats, I’m going to strongly recommend that they not send it.” The Public Integrity Section chief further cautioned that the memo could turn the Justice Department and the FBI into the “threat police” and lacked “no limiting principle at all.”