Top Republicans Scrutinize DC’s Unconstitutional Viewpoint Discrimination and Censorship

WASHINGTON – Today, top Republicans on the House Committee on Oversight and Reform and the House Committee on the Judiciary sent letters launching a probe into the District of Columbia’s unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination and censorship and called on the District to uniformly respect the First Amendment rights of all citizens.

On August 1, 2020, the District of Columbia’s Metropolitan Police Department arrested two individuals affiliated with the Students for Life of America for writing “Black Pre-Born Lives Matter” in chalk on a public sidewalk. According to news reports, these individuals were later charged with defacing public or private property, a crime punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and up to 180 days in jail. This incident, in light of the District allowing other political messages to appear on public property, raises questions about whether the District is respecting the constitutional rights of individuals in a viewpoint-neutral manner.

“Under Mayor Bowser’s leadership, a pro-life message written in chalk on a public sidewalk was met with swift action but a left-wing message in paint had little reaction,” said House Oversight and Reform Committee Ranking Member James Comer. “Our Constitution protects the free speech of all Americans, not just those who have similar viewpoints to the reining political elites. The District must be held accountable for its political viewpoint discrimination so the rights of all Americans are protected.”

In a letter to Mayor Muriel Bowser, Oversight and Reform Committee Ranking Member James Comer (R-Ky.), Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Ranking Member Chip Roy (R-Texas), and Subcommittee on Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties Ranking Member Mike Johnson (R-La.) demand a briefing about the District’s discrimination against the Students for Life of America. The members also call on the Mayor to produce all documents and communications about the arrests.

“Democrats won’t let you go to church, work, or school. Liberals in Washington, D.C., however, will let you protest, but only if what you’re saying is in full compliance with their radical agenda,” said House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jim Jordan. “Americans are tired of this double standard and understand that the unconstitutional discrimination happening right now in our nation’s capital chills free-speech, foils opposing viewpoints, and attacks the free exchange of ideas. We cannot let the Left continue to sully the First Amendment or the American values that made our country great.”

The members also wrote to Assistant Attorney General Dreiband, head of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, to request a briefing regarding how the Department evaluates and addresses unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination on public property.

The letter to the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division can be found HERE and the letter to Mayor Bowser can be found HERE.

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