Blog

Missouri Republican Party Joins Lt. Governor’s Call for Investigation into Nixon's Political Profiling

March 25, 2009

MRP Chairman: ‘Jay Nixon Should Apologize Fervently and Publicly for Report Targeting Conservatives’

JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri Republican Party today joined Lt. Governor Peter Kinder in calling for Director John Britt to be placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into the political-profiling activities of the Department of Public Safety. The Missouri Republican Party is seeking a fervent and public apology from Jay Nixon to all Missourians, especially the conservatives his administration targeted in this report.

“The Missouri Republican Party joins Lt. Governor Peter Kinder in calling for an investigation into the Nixon Administration’s political profiling activities,” said David Cole, Chairman of the Missouri Republican Party. “Governor Nixon is ultimately responsible, and it is beyond time for him to apologize fervently and publicly, retract the report, and make public all information regarding the profiling of law-abiding Missourians.”

As reported by various news outlets across the state, the Department of Public Safety’s Missouri Information Analysis Center recently released a report that singles out pro-life, low-tax, and anti-illegal immigration advocates as threats to public safety.

A full and transparent investigation into this report will expose the extent of the Nixon Administration’s targeting of millions of Missourians in violation of their First Amendment right to free-speech.

“In his statements to the press, Nixon has promised to continue the practice of political profiling. His stalwart defense of this report suppresses political discourse, and it has implications for all Missourians, regardless of their partisan affiliations,” said Cole. “We encourage all elected officials to make it clear that no one who participates in the political process will live in fear of retribution from the government or law enforcement based on their beliefs.”

Missouri’s law enforcement officials are the finest in the country. The Missouri Republican Party supports their outstanding work and appreciates their service. It is unfortunate that bureaucrats exercised such poor judgment in providing them this information.