January 13, 2021

Acting Attorney General Jeffery A. Rosen U.S. Department of Justice 950 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington DC 20530-0001

Dear Acting Attorney General Rosen, We write to echo and emphasize our colleagues’ condemnation of the violent breach of the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021. Such an abhorrent act is an affront to our nation, and we commend the United States Department of Justice for taking expedient steps toward prosecution. Attorneys General are called to lead by and to the rule of law in pursuit of justice and equality. We should all – collectively – decry political violence in every instance. The culture war is no longer a cold one, and it’s heating rapidly. The last several years have seen an assassination attempt that left Representative Steve Scalise fighting for his life, bombs mailed to public figures and detonated in city centers, buildings or entire blocks taken or held by force, and mass demonstrations that led to destruction, injury, and death. Our people and police officers are targeted and killed, our courthouses and churches burned, and the seat of our nation’s government was breached by an angry mob. Like all Americans, we seek clarity and direction toward a bright future. Like all of you, we believe the rule of law clearly leads to harmony. But until we Attorneys General stand together against all political violence, we amplify aimless partisan wandering instead of taking strides toward unity. When Antifa or like-minded rioters stoked violence on college campuses, we did not have the strength to unify. Now they stoke violence in our streets as we wonder where all this chaos started. And truly, regardless of where or when it started, it’s time for it to end. Whether committed against person or property, every act of violence injures real people, including our neighbors, friends, and family. In all forms and in all instances, violent acts carried out in the name of political ideology have no place in any of our United States. We thank you for leading the Department in this unprecedented time and for your work to bring justice against all of those who commit political violence. Every such act leaves a lasting, painful scar on our people. Together, we can lead to unity and peace.

For our Nation,

Jeff Landry Todd Rokita Austin Knudsen Attorney General Attorney General Attorney General State of Louisiana State of Indiana State of Montana

cc: The Honorable Nancy Pelosi Speaker U.S. House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Mitch McConnell Majority Leader U.S. Senate Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable Kevin McCarthy Minority Leader U.S. House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515

The Honorable Chuck Schumer Minority Leader U.S. Senate Washington, DC 20510