Scott Smith, a Virginia father who was arrested for protesting during a 2021 Loudoun County school board meeting, spoke out after being pardoned by Governor Youngkin. His arrest and subsequent prosecution by Loudon County’s Commonwealth’s Attorney Buta Biberaj were cited by the National School Boards Association in their letter to Merrick Garland that prompted Garland’s memo asking the FBI to look into the protests.
Speaking to “America Reports” co-host John Roberts, Smith said, “I didn’t want to drop my appeal and accept responsibility for the charges that I was convicted of in the lower court. That was unacceptable to me. I wanted to win it straight up on my own merit in court… [but] our justice system across this land is unfortunately politicized and weaponized to the hilt, and that should scare every American.”
Smith suspected that the same forces used him to “silence moms and dads and grandmas and grandpas and everybody else [who] were starting this movement to protect our children and stand up for our rights.” He continued: “When you have the DOJ sending out that memo, that was bone chilling. I mean — it scared me for about 10 seconds.”
Smith’s case sparked similar protests across the country as parents objected to the implementation of Critical Race Theory in school curricula and the use of sexually explicit books. He had harsh words to say about Biberaj—a left-wing backed attorney funded by George Soros—criticizing her for her statement on the pardon. “She is one of the most evil people I ever met,” said Smith. “Unfortunately, I had to deal with her face to face with the prosecution of the sexual predator of my daughter. She needs — we need to vote her out.”
Smith’s shocking case, and his subsequent pardon, are a stark reminder of the need to be vigilant against the weaponization of our justice system against individuals who protest. In Smith’s case, it very nearly worked.
The only reason Smith did not suffer the full consequences of the court’s verdict is because he was brave and unwilling to give up in his fight for justice. The lesson is simple; never saying never is the only way to move forward.