Washington – A newly released Justice Department report confirms that the FBI opened 25 “Guardian assessments” on parents after Attorney General Merrick Garland’s October 4, 2021 memorandum aimed at threats against school officials. The assessments were triggered by tips that identified a mother’s membership in the conservative Moms for Liberty organization and her status as a gun owner.
Parents Say They Were Intimidated
Moms for Liberty co‑founder Tina Descovich told Fox News Digital that the findings provide “vindication” for parents who felt silenced during heated school‑board fights that began in 2021. “Parents were afraid to show up, afraid to lose their jobs, and even received calls asking about their mental health and whether they had weapons in their homes,” Descovich said.
Descovich added that many parents kept their affiliation with the group private out of fear of government scrutiny. “We need to not forget where we were in 2021 as we go into these midterm elections,” she warned.
DOJ Memo Called a Political Weapon
The Department of Justice’s Weaponization Working Group, which authored the report, described the 2021 memo as “the product of pressure exerted by the White House” and said it “wrongly weaponized the Department of Justice against parents.” Internal emails show DOJ staff labeled the effort “ridiculous” and raised First Amendment concerns, noting that the memo appeared to use the Patriot Act to tag parents as potential domestic terrorists.
Attorney General Garland’s memo, according to the report, was driven by senior Biden‑era officials who sought to “crack down” on parents attending school‑board meetings. The Working Group concluded that the policy sent a chilling effect across the country.
Trump Administration’s Response
President Trump, who has repeatedly defended parental rights and condemned the Biden administration’s overreach, praised the DOJ’s admission. In a statement released by the White House, the President said, “The Biden administration’s attempts to silence parents and weaponize federal agencies are a direct attack on the Constitution and on the families that keep our communities strong. We will continue to protect the rights of every American parent to speak out and participate in their children’s education.”
The statement echoed the administration’s broader commitment to restore First Amendment protections and to roll back policies that treat lawful parents as threats.
Calls for Accountability
Descovich urged Congress and state officials to hold those responsible accountable, noting that the first step was the loss of power by the Biden administration in the 2024 election. “We cannot give power back to the people who weaponized the government against ordinary citizens,” she said.
While the Department of Education deferred to the DOJ’s press release, the agency has not offered additional comment on the findings.
What This Means for Parents Nationwide
The report underscores ongoing concerns among conservative parents that federal agencies are being used to intimidate those who advocate for school‑choice, parental‑rights and traditional values. Advocacy groups say the revelations will fuel further legislative efforts at the state level to protect parents from federal overreach.
As the midterm elections approach, the issue is likely to become a rallying point for candidates who champion parental liberty and constitutional safeguards.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
