U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) joined 19 of his House colleagues Tuesday in expressing concern about the lack of response from the Department of Justice over attacks against Catholic churches.
I joined 19 of my colleagues to demand answers from the DOJ about why they refuse to investigate recent hate crimes against churches. Instead of playing politics, AG Garland needs to do his job and protect the American right to religious freedom. https://t.co/hPfyQfQvp9
— Rep. Barry Moore (@RepBarryMoore) August 30, 2022
“Religious freedom is under attack in the United States,” the letter says. “Since May of 2020, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has counted at least one hundred sixty hate crimes against the Catholic Church across thirty-seven states. As a result, millions of Christians are under assault for merely exercising their constitutional right to freely practice their religion…As the elected U.S. Representative of many Christians, we are forced to wonder if your Department of Justice will ever address the over one hundred crimes against Christian holy sites in America?”
The members of Congress are questioning the motives of Attorney General Merrick Garland for not seeking justice in these cases.
“Under your leadership, the Department of Justice (DOJ) persecuted Americans for speaking out at school board meetings and harassed peaceful protesters by investigating them for domestic terrorism,” the letter reads. “At the same time, the DOJ ignored blatant acts of violence committed by groups such as Antifa, who targeted and destroyed the property of small businesses and government facilities in Portland, Seattle and beyond. Americans are watching in horror as your DOJ fails to respond to the violence threatening religious freedom across the country and wondering why certain criminals seem to always avoid your interest.”
They also said it undermines the foundation of religious freedom in America.
“The principle of religious freedom is woven into the fabric of what makes America great,” the letter says. “No American should live in fear of practicing their religion and no religion should be subject to attack in this land of the free. Religious freedom is not only a Constitutional right but a human right, too. We are calling on you and your department to uphold your oaths to the Constitution and bring justice to the anti-Catholic criminals who are running rampant across America.”
The letter, led by Rep. Lisa McClain (R-Mich.), calls for answers from the DOJ by Sept. 20.
Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” Weekdays 9-11am on WVNN. You can follow him on Twitter @Yaffee
