Last month, the Biden Department of Justice, through the U.S. Attorney's office in Birmingham, sent a subpoena to Eagle Forum of Alabama asking to obtain its communications about its support for legislation banning hormone treatments and gender transition surgeries for minors. After the bill's passage in the Alabama state legislature, Biden's DOJ filed a lawsuit against the legislation, and a federal judge subsequently blocked it in May.
The subpoena demanded "all information related to the non-profit's legislative activities promoting the Alabama Vulnerable Child Compassion And Protection Act (VCAP) since 2017."
The VCAP bill, passed by the Alabama Legislature earlier this year, was sponsored by State Sen. Shay Shelnutt (R-Trussville) and State Rep. Wes Allen (R-Troy).
Immediately after Gov. Kay Ivey signed the legislation into law, then-White House press secretary Jen Psaki threatened Alabama officials by saying they were being "put on notice" by the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services, vowing President Joe Biden would hold them accountable.
In May, U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Alabama Liles Burke issued a preliminary injunction to stop Alabama from enforcing the ban while a court challenge goes forward.
In response to that subpoena, U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Hoover), along with all of the other House Republicans in Alabama's delegation, sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland demanding answers for his department's actions.
Responses as follow:
Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Hoover) – Chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee
"Eagle Forum of Alabama is an outstanding organization that represents the values of thousands of Alabamians. To have their first amendment rights infringed upon by the Department of Justice is disrespectful to our Constitution. Constitutional protections should not be dictated by the political views of individuals in the White House or their appointees. Attorney General Merrick Garland owes an explanation for the motives behind this aggressive action against an organization simply petitioning the government on an issue important to them."Rep. Jerry Carl (R-Mobile)
"The Department of Justice's decision to target the Eagle Forum of Alabama is nothing more than a partisan attack against a conservative organization simply because of their political views. I'm proud to join my colleagues in this effort demanding answers from Attorney General Merrick Garland as to why the DOJ is attacking private citizens for exercising their First Amendment rights."Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise)
"The Biden administration has shown time and again its eagerness to weaponize the executive branch against law-abiding Americans, and the DOJ's subpoena of Eagle Forum of Alabama is only the latest egregious example. The Biden administration must explain its actions and stop abusing its authority in such an un-American and partisan manner."Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville)
"I am deeply concerned with the news that President Biden's Department of Justice has subpoenaed Eagle Forum of Alabama, a non-profit organization, to turn over its communications related to the development of legislative text. As Americans, we are protected by the First Amendment with the right to petition the government. This action by the U.S. Government is a blatant attempt to intimidate citizens from participating in the legislative process. It is vitally important that we hear from the Department of Justice about why they took this action and get an explanation for this violation."
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email jeff.poor@1819News.com.
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