Source: United States Senator for Arkansas Tom Cotton
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: James Arnold or Mary Collins Atkinson (202) 224-2353
May 11, 2022
Cotton Calls on DOJ to Prosecute Protestors Outside Justices’ Homes
Washington, D.C. — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) sent a letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland demanding action from the Department of Justice in response to ongoing protests at the homes of Supreme Court Justices with the intent to sway the outcome of a pending case—a violation of federal law.
In part, Cotton wrote, “Please explain why you have refused to enforce the federal law against picketing and protesting at the homes of Supreme Court Justices. Left-wing mobs have recently targeted the homes of Justices Roberts, Alito, Thomas, Gorsuch, Barrett, and Kavanaugh, a blatant and obvious violation of 18 USC § 1507. These unlawful protestors widely publicized their plans, yet it appears that no federal law-enforcement officers were present to arrest the lawbreakers and no investigation is ongoing.”
“This is in stark contrast to when you sicced federal agents on parents who attended public meetings of school boards in public buildings. Without an adequate explanation, one can only assume that you have weaponized federal law-enforcement against your party’s political opponents,” Cotton continued.
Cotton concluded by warning Garland that a continued refusal to enforce federal law might prompt impeachment proceedings against him in the next Congress.
Text of the letter may be found here and below.
The Honorable Merrick Garland
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530-0001
Dear Attorney General Garland,
Please explain why you have refused to enforce the federal law against picketing and protesting at the homes of Supreme Court Justices. Left-wing mobs have recently targeted the homes of Justices Roberts, Alito, Thomas, Gorsuch, Barrett, and Kavanaugh, a blatant and obvious violation of 18 USC § 1507. These unlawful protestors widely publicized their plans, yet it appears that no federal law-enforcement officers were present to arrest the lawbreakers and no investigation is ongoing. Further, President Biden’s own press secretary announced this week that the Biden administration “certainly continue[s] to encourage [protests] outside of judges’ homes, and that’s the president’s position.” This is in stark contrast to when you sicced federal agents on parents who attended public meetings of school boards in public buildings. Without an adequate explanation, one can only assume that you have weaponized federal law-enforcement against your party’s political opponents.
When you last testified at the Senate Judiciary Committee, I recommended that you resign in disgrace. Unfortunately, I see you haven’t taken my advice. If you don’t take immediate action to enforce the law even-handedly against your party’s political opponents, perhaps the next Congress should take matters into its own hands with impeachment proceedings.
Sincerely,
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