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Senator Katie Britt Demands DOJ Preserve Records on Protection of Supreme Court Justices

U.S. Senator Katie Britt Holds Attorney General Garland Accountable for Department Ignoring Concerns Regarding the Safety of Supreme Court Justices

Washington D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) has sent a formal letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, urging the Department of Justice (DOJ) to preserve all records related to the protection of Supreme Court Justices following what she describes as the department’s failure to enforce federal law in the wake of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization draft opinion leak.

The unprecedented leak on May 2, 2022, led to illegal protests outside the homes of Supreme Court Justices. Federal law, specifically 18 U.S.C. §1507, prohibits protests aimed at influencing judicial decision-making by picketing or parading near a judge’s residence. Despite this, no arrests were made under the statute during the demonstrations, which included the public posting of a map revealing the home addresses of five Republican-appointed Justices.

In her letter, Senator Britt outlined a timeline of her efforts to hold the DOJ accountable for what she sees as lapses in law enforcement. She first raised the issue in March 2023, citing evidence that U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) deputies had been discouraged from enforcing Section 1507. This was further supported by training materials obtained from a whistleblower, which indicated that USMS personnel were advised not to arrest individuals for violations of the statute.

Senator Britt criticized the DOJ’s lack of action and transparency, noting that her initial inquiries went unanswered for nearly a year. When Attorney General Garland finally responded, his letter did not address the specific concerns raised.

“As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which oversees the Department of Justice, I request that you take all reasonable steps to prevent the destruction of all documents, communications, and other information, including electronic information, that may be responsive to my original inquiry,” Britt wrote in her letter to Garland.

In May 2023, Senator Britt joined Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and other Senate Republicans in introducing the Protect Our Supreme Court Justices Act. The proposed legislation aims to increase penalties for those who attempt to unlawfully influence federal judges, raising the maximum term of imprisonment from one year to five years.

During a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing in March 2023, Senator Britt directly questioned Attorney General Garland about the DOJ’s failure to pursue charges under Section 1507. Garland attributed the lack of enforcement to decisions made by USMS deputies, asserting they had independent authority to make arrests. However, Britt presented whistleblower-provided training slides suggesting otherwise.

The Senator’s continued efforts reflect her broader concerns about ensuring the safety and impartiality of the judicial system. She emphasized the importance of accountability and the need for the DOJ to uphold its responsibilities.

Senator Britt’s letter serves as a formal request for the DOJ to preserve all relevant records and communications. The move underscores her commitment to investigating the department’s handling of this matter and addressing what she views as a significant failure to enforce federal law.

As the DOJ reviews the request, Britt’s actions signal ongoing scrutiny of the department’s approach to protecting the judiciary and ensuring federal laws are upheld.

 

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