Attorney General Cameron Sues Biden Administration for Concealing Records Related to Federal Actions Against Parents

Turn over records

FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 4, 2022) – Attorney General Daniel Cameron today sued the Biden Administration for its failure to respond to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.  The multistate lawsuit seeks to have the U.S. Department of Education turn over records pertaining to the Administration’s communications internally and with outside groups about parents speaking out at school board meetings and other forums.

The FOIA requests were filed last fall on behalf of Kentucky and other states and ask for federal officials’ emails and correspondence preceding an October 4, 2021, Department of Justice memo threatening federal action against parents who raise concerns about their children’s education.   

“Parents should not be vilified by the Biden Administration’s Department of Justice when it comes to expressing themselves concerning their children’s education,” said Attorney General Cameron.  “We should encourage parents’ involvement, and like all Americans, they enjoy a First Amendment right to peacefully share their opinions and concerns. The Biden Administration’s actions not only discouraged parental involvement, but now their refusal to turn over records seeks to avoid the kind of accountability and transparency that federal law demands.”

The lawsuit names the White House, U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of Education, and Education Secretary Miguel Cardona as defendants. 

Attorney General Cameron joined the Indiana-led lawsuit alongside Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah.  A copy of the complaint is accessible here.