Tom Cotton’s Arrest Demands Just Got Difficult
(UnitedVoice.com) – A Republican senator has called for strong measures to protect Supreme Court Justices, even calling for the arrests and prosecutions of protesters who target their homes. Not all his fellow Republicans agree, however. The GOP is facing a choice now — law or liberties.
On May 10, Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) called for the Justice Department to arrest and prosecute the left-wing groups who’ve been protesting outside the homes of six Justices since the weekend. Slamming Attorney General Merrick Garland for his inaction, Cotton threatened to start the impeachment process if the AG didn’t act immediately.
“I think if they’re being peaceful and are staying off their property and are not disrupting neighborhoods or causing or inciting fear, it’s probably a legitimate expression of free speech,” Sen. Cynthia Lummis, fmr mbr of Freedom Caucushttps://t.co/qgrIFQxwx7
— Justice is Served🇺🇦 (@pleasesaveour) May 12, 2022
There’s no doubt the protests are a security risk. Activists began protesting after the illegal leak of a Supreme Court draft opinion discussing the possible overturn of Roe v Wade. A pro-abortion group released the Justices’ home addresses, further inflaming the situation. On Monday, the Senate passed a bill to provide SCOTUS Justices extra protection, which will cost taxpayers money. Still, some Republicans think Cotton is going too far.
Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) said as long as the protests stay peaceful, they’re a legitimate expression of free speech. Lummis added, “We should all be erring in favor of the First Amendment.” Senator Mike Braun (R-IN) called himself “a First Amendment guy” and said he supports free speech for both sides of the political spectrum. So far, there have been no reports of violence or vandalism at the protests.
Is Cotton right to demand harsh punishments for the protesters, or are his GOP colleagues right to put freedom of speech first? What do you think?
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