Internal DOJ emails show officials objected to 2021 school board memo

One deputy assistant attorney general wrote that the memo would "completely and totally nuke our election threats efforts" and would damage the reputation of the Public Integrity Section. Another official stated that proceeding with the plan would turn the section into an "Anti-MAGA Task Force."

Later developments The National School Boards Association later apologized for language in a related letter that had prompted the memo. The organization stated there was "no justification for some of the language included in the letter" and that it should have consulted members before sending it.

Then-Attorney General Merrick Garland defended the memo, saying the Justice Department's obligation is to protect public officials from violence and threats. The department and Garland did not respond to requests for comment on the newly released emails.