House Dem: Maybe we should take up that SCOTUS protection bill after all

Michael Reynolds/Pool via AP

Ya think? The Senate unanimously passed its bill bolstering security for the Supreme Court almost exactly a month ago, after a radical group doxxed the justices and started demonstrating outside their residences — illegally, under 18 USC 1507. The Department of Justice seemed disinclined to do anything about it at the time. Even after police arrested an assassin outside of Brett Kavanaugh’s house early Wednesday morning, Merrick Garland still won’t enforce 18 USC 1507, arranged by the group that posted Kavanaugh’s address where his would-be assassin could find it:

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Under 18 USC 1507, it is a criminal offense to conduct demonstrations outside the homes of federal judges, a statute that carries a one-year prison sentence per violation. Why won’t Garland enforce this law? Sen. Tom Cotton demanded an answer from Garland on that point almost exactly a month ago too, noting that Garland didn’t have a problem “weaponizing” the DoJ against parents protesting radical curricula at school board meetings — where the DoJ has no jurisdiction in the first place.

So where’s that unanimously passed Senate bill to protect Supreme Court justices while Garland remains derelict of duty in enforcing the law? It’s stalled in the House, where Nancy Pelosi apparently has no problem leaving the justices vulnerable to doxxing and nutcases:

A bipartisan Senate-passed bill that would expand security protection to the immediate family members of Supreme Court justices has stalled in the House, raising questions from senators on why it hasn’t passed in the wake of an arrest outside the home of a Supreme Court justice. …

Coons told CNN on Wednesday he is still working with the House on a compromise to enhance security, which could include extending protection to clerks and other staff.

“I’ve actually been engaging with several House members about how we come to a negotiated compromise on that bill and move it forward promptly,” said Coons, noting that the main sticking point is “a relatively simple issue of whether or not the scope of it also includes clerks and other staff.”

“I think we can find a compromise in, in allowing the discretion of what police or public safety resources are dedicated to be at the discretion of the head of public safety related to the Supreme Court,” he told reporters.

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Here’s a fun fact about 18 USC 1507 — it already covers clerks and staff. Its language forbids these demonstrations not just at the residences of judges, but also “in or near a building or residence occupied or used by such judge, juror, witness, or court officer“, emphasis mine. Clerks and staff would be considered court officers for the purposes of congressional intent, clearly. So, again … why isn’t Garland enforcing the law?

And for that matter, why doesn’t the House pass the bill to protect the justices who are under immediate threat now, and propose a separate bill for clerks and staff afterward?

One influential progressive House Democrat has decided enough is enough. Last night, Ro Khanna called on his party’s leadership to quit stalling on the unanimous Senate bill and pass it as is:

Maybe they can do that before the next assassin decides to proceed rather than turn himself into police. And maybe Congress should consider impeaching this Attorney General and tell Joe Biden to find one that will enforce the law.

Update: Looks like Pelosi has figured out the optics, too:

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Now will they do something about Garland, too?

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Beege Welborn 5:00 PM | December 24, 2024
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