Comer, Oversight Republicans Call for the Protection of Supreme Court Justices
Request all information related to steps DOJ is taking to enforce federal law as protesters doxx and picket outside justices’ homes
WASHINGTON — In the wake of the unprecedented leak of a draft opinion on a matter being considered before the Supreme Court, House Committee on Oversight and Reform Ranking Member James Comer (R-Ky.) and Oversight Committee Republicans urged Attorney General Merrick Garland to provide the Committee all documents and communications related to any steps the Justice Department is taking to enforce federal law and ensure the protection of Supreme Court Justices. In their letter to Attorney General Garland, Oversight Republicans highlighted the growing wave of violence perpetrated by radical, far left idealogues and blasted extremists for likely violating federal law by recently picketing at the Supreme Court Justices’ residences with the goal of influencing or intimidating them.
“We continue to conduct oversight of efforts by the U.S. Department of Justice to enforce federal laws protecting the integrity of the Supreme Court. In the wake of the unprecedented leak of a draft opinion on a matter currently pending before the Supreme Court, a reactionary wave of violence by radical idealogues has descended upon the country, as crisis pregnancy centers, pro-life organizations and churches have been vandalized and subject to arson attacks and theft of sacred objects. Other protestors are picketing at Supreme Court Justices’ family residences with the goal of influencing or intimidating the Justices. This likely violates federal law, notwithstanding the Biden Administration and other prominent Democrats stating their support for these unlawful actions. We request further information regarding steps the Justice Department is taking to enforce federal law and ensure the protection of Supreme Court Justices,” wrote the Republican lawmakers.
On May 3, 2022, the Republican lawmakers requested Attorney General Garland to launch an investigation and provide Congress all information and a description of laws potentially violated by the leaking of a draft opinion. The only court the U.S. Constitution established, the Supreme Court, is the highest court of the land. This flagrant attack on the Court threatens to undermine our nation’s entire judicial system and demands immediate congressional oversight.
“Under federal law, picketing or parading ‘in or near a building or residence occupied or used by [a] judge’ with intent of ‘interfering with, obstructing, or impeding the administration of justice, or with the intent of influencing any judge… in the discharge of his duty…’ is a misdemeanor offense punishable by fines or jail time. It is unclear whether the Justice Department has been investigating or prosecuting any cases related to the current protests at the Justices’ homes. The recent leaked draft opinion has the potential to undermine the ability of Justices to deliberate on cases of national importance. Our system of law and order must stand firm against any illegal attempts to intimidate Justices by mobbing their neighborhoods,” concluded the Republican lawmakers.
Read the letter here.