March 2, 2021
Washington, DC
Conservatives urge Senate Republicans to oppose the confirmation of Merrick Garland to the post of Attorney General.
During his confirmation hearing, Garland was asked if “assaults on federal property” constituted domestic terrorism, specifically related to the repeated left-wing assaults on the federal courthouse in Portland, Oregon. His answer narrowed the definition of domestic terrorism to “an attack on a courthouse while in operation,” one that tries to “prevent judges from actually deciding cases.”
Most of the assaults that took place on federal property in Portland, however, took place at night. Garland’s definition seems to suggest he is comfortable labeling those particular assaults on federal property as mere disturbances. Garland’s inability to draw a clear line around this type of behavior is an unacceptable amount of ambiguity from a nominee charged with enforcing America’s laws.
Garland was also presented with disturbing comments from would-be colleagues at the Department of Justice which he was unwilling to condemn.
Vanita Gupta, nominated to be the associate attorney general, has asserted that any pro-life advocate is unfit for office and that Republicans seek to leave communities “at the mercy of people and institutions driven by hate, bigotry and fear of any threat to the status quo.” Garland responded by saying he regards Gupta as “a person of great integrity and a person who is dedicated to the mission of the department.”
Kristen Clarke, the nominee to head the Civil Rights Division at DOJ, has written that black people are genetically superior to white people. Garland was unable or unwilling to condemn the remarks, asserting “I do not believe . . . she is discriminatory in any sense.”
The statements from Gupta and Clarke are clearly discriminatory and inappropriate. Garland’s inability to acknowledge this – and, in fact, his reflexive defense of them – raise serious questions about his judgment and how he intends to manage the equal application of the law.
We are living in a political environment where the Democratic party intends to use every lever of law and government to persecute their political opponents, and to legalize racism through the implementation of group rights. This is anathema to our nation’s founding ideals, as well as to the rule of law.
The Attorney General of the United States, as the nation’s highest law enforcement officer, has a solemn duty to uphold the law – which includes both its equal and impartial enforcement, as well as forceful rebuttals against the weaponization of our justice system as a vehicle for raw political power.
We are unconvinced of Merrick Garland’s suitability to this task. We urge Senate Republicans to oppose his nomination.
| Alfred S. Regnery Chairman, Conservative Action Project President, Republic Book Publishers |
The Honorable Becky Norton Dunlop White House Advisor President Ronald Reagan (1981-1985) |
| Kelly J. Shackelford, Esq. Chairman, CNP Action, Inc. President and CEO, First Liberty Institute |
Jenny Beth Martin Chairman Tea Party Patriots Citizen Fund |
| Myron Ebell Director, Center for Energy and Environment Competitive Enterprise Institute |
Mary Vought Executive Director Senate Conservatives Fund |
| The Honorable Jim DeMint Chairman, Conservative Partnership Institute Member, US Senate (SC 2005-2013) |
Ed Corrigan Vice Chairman, Conservative Action Project President & CEO, Conservative Partnership Institute |
| Wesley Denton Chief Operating Officer Conservative Partnership Institute (CPI) |
Rachel Bovard Senior Director of Policy Conservative Partnership Institute (CPI) |
| The Honorable J. Kenneth Blackwell Chairman Constitutional Congress, Inc. |
The Honorable T. Kenneth Cribb, Jr. Chief Domestic Advisor President Ronald Reagan (1987-1988) |
| The Honorable Donald Paul Hodel U.S. Secretary of Energy (1982-1985) U.S. Secretary of Interior (1985-1989) |
William L. Walton President Council for National Policy |
| Tom McClusky President March for Life Action |
The Honorable Tony Perkins President Family Research Council |
| The Honorable Russ Vought Director Office of Management and Budget (2020-2021) |
Penny Y. Nance President & CEO Concerned Women for America |
| Lt. Gen. William G. Boykin (Ret.) Executive Vice President Family Research Council |
The Honorable David McIntosh President Club for Growth |
| The Honorable Scott Walker President Young America’s Foundation |
The Honorable Ken Cuccinelli Former Attorney General of Virginia Former Acting Deputy Secretary of DHS |
| The Honorable James C. Miller III Budget Director for President Reagan, 1985-1988 |
Colleen Holcomb President Eagle Forum |
| Karen England Executive Director Capitol Resource Institute |
Dr. Paige Patterson President Sandy Creek Foundation |
| Khadine Ritter, Esq. Chairman Eagle Forum of Ohio |
Lee Beaman CEO Beaman Ventures |
| Ben Case | Ron Pearson Executive Director Conservative Victory Fund |
| Seton Motley President Less Government |
Mathew Staver Founder and Chairman Liberty Counsel Action |
| Willes K. Lee President National Federation of Republican Assemblies |
Dr. Rick Scarborough President Recover America Now |
| Tim Throckmorton President Lifepointe Ministries |
Marc Little Executive Director CURE America Action, Inc. |
| Paavo Ensio Chairman Universal Minerals Group |
Richard Wright Owner R & S |
| Dr. Richard Rounsavelle Trustee MRC |
C. Preston Noell III President Tradition, Family, Property, Inc. |
| Elaine Donnelly President Center for Military Readiness |
Tim Macy Chairman Gun Owners of America |
| The Honorable George K. Rasley Jr. Managing Editor ConservativeHQ.com |
Debbie Georgatos Host, America, Can We Talk? CWT Publications, LLC |
| Saulius “Saul” Anuzis President 60 Plus Association |
Mario Navarro da Costa Director, Washington Bureau Tradition, Family, Property |
| James L. Martin Founder/Chairman 60 Plus Association |
Sheryl Kaufman Corporate Chief Economist, Retired Phillips Petroleum Company |
| Kielle C. Horton President The Lindsey Foundation |
Steve Berger Founding Pastor Grace Chapel |
| Justin Danhof General Counsel National Center for Public Policy Research |
Amapola Hansberger Founder and President Legal Immigrants for America |
| Darrel W. Johnson Principle Attic Corp |
Kay R. Daly President Coalition for a Fair Judiciary |
| Richard D. Hayes Partner Hayes, Berry, White & Vanzant, LLP |
Eric Georgatos Executive Producer America Can We Talk? |
| Tom DeWeese President American Policy Center |
Judson Phillips Founder Tea Party Nation |
| William W. Pascoe III Board Member Tea Party Patriots Action |
Melissa Kaye Ortiz Principal & Founder, Able Americans Blogger/Admin, DCBelleonWheels.com |
| The Honorable Gary L. Bauer President American Values |
The Honorable Peter J. Thomas Chairman The Conservative Caucus |
| Robert Keith Fischer Meeting Coordinator Conservatives of Faith |
Andresen Blom President Hawaiian Values |
| Gregory Quinlan The Center for Garden State Families |
Chad Connelly President Faith Wins |
| Dr. Allen Unruh Founder National Abstinence Clearinghouse |
The Honorable Mike Hill Former Member Florida State House |
All organizations listed for IDENTIFICATION purposes only.
