Attorney General Merrick Garland defended himself Thursday from Republican criticism of a directive he wrote about school board meetings, saying the Department of Justice simply wants to examine and curtail possible violence, not squelch or intimidate parents angry about curriculums or pandemic-era rules.

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       “We are trying to prevent violence and threats of violence. It’s not only about schools — we have similar concerns about election workers,” Garland testified before the House Judiciary Committee. “This is a rising problem in the United States, of threats of violence, and we are trying to prevent the violence.”

       Throughout the hearing, Republicans charged that Garland went too far in an Oct. 4 memo instructing parts of the Justice Department — including the FBI, the Criminal Division and the Civil Rights Division — to coordinate a response to threats against school officials.

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       Garland wrote the memo less than a week after the National School Boards Association asked the Biden administration to take action against what they called a growing danger. Around the country, school board meetings have grown increasingly heated in recent months, sometimes over school rules surrounding the pandemic, sometimes over what conservatives charge are history lessons that are too critical of White people.

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       Republicans responded to Garland’s memo by accusing him of trying to intimidate conservative critics of the Biden administration.

       On Thursday, Rep. Jim Jordan (Ohio), the senior Republican on the committee, said the Justice Department was creating “a snitch line on parents” who complain about school policy — a charge the attorney general repeatedly denied.

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       “There’s nothing in this memorandum that has any effect on the kinds of curriculums that are taught or the ability of the parents to complain,” Garland said.

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       Republicans did not buy his explanation.

       “We don’t need the vast power of the federal government throwing its weight around,” said Rep. Steve Chabot (R-Ohio). “We don’t need you, the Justice Department, or the FBI trampling on the rights of parents.”

       Democrats defended Garland’s memo when it was their turn to speak.

       “I appreciate, Attorney General, your concern about threats to people doing their jobs,” said Rep. Ted Deutch (D-Fla.).

       Republicans pressed Garland on whether White House and Justice Department officials discussed the memo before it was issued. Garland said he did not speak to White House officials but added that he was sure other officials did discuss the issue.

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       Democrats also pressed Garland at the hearing about a thorny political issue likely to land at the Justice Department in the coming days — an expected House referral for contempt charges against Stephen K. Bannon, a longtime outside adviser to Donald Trump.

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       A committee probing the Jan. 6 attack on Congress has subpoenaed Bannon and others, and he has refused to comply. The Democratic-controlled House is expected to hold a vote on referring him to the U.S. attorney in Washington. If that happens, the Justice Department would have to decide whether Bannon should be investigated or prosecuted.

       Asked about how he would handle such a case, Garland was noncommittal Thursday, saying the department “will do what it always does in such circumstances — it will apply the facts and the law.”