Republicans are really pushing the outrage over the idea that federal law enforcement would pay attention to crimes being committed against local educators and education officials—at least if those crimes are being committed in the name of “concerned,” and conservative, parents. Reporting from The Wall Street Journal, and a responding tweet from Rep. Jim Jordan, really shows how the outrage machine works. Attorney General Merrick Garland said on Oct. 4 that the Justice Department would take action to address “a disturbing spike in harassment, intimidation, and threats of violence against school administrators, board members, teachers, and staff.” Republicans have responded aggressively by trying to turn this into an attempt to silence parents, because apparently Republicans think it’s impossible for their base to express opinions without criminally harassing, intimidating, or threatening people. Read more