Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford's office repeatedly denied requests for records related to an investigation into racist text messages targeting Black students and other minority groups across the U.S., including Nevada. The Las Vegas Review-Journal, which made the requests, argues that the denial violates Nevada's public records laws.
While the AG's office cited an ongoing investigation as justification for withholding information, the Review-Journal points out there is no legal exemption for withholding public records merely because they are relevant to an ongoing investigation. The messages, described as vile and racist, referenced enslavement and forced labor, with some messages mentioning President Trump's administration (though his campaign denied involvement).
The FBI and FCC are also investigating the messages, which have broadened in scope to include high school students, Hispanic, and LGBTQIA+ communities, with threats of deportation or re-education camps.
The AG's office has confirmed awareness of the messages but maintains they will not be publicly shared due to their racist nature. However, some message content has already been published by other news outlets.
The article emphasizes the importance of transparency in government and criticizes the AG's lack of cooperation in providing information to the public. The lack of clarity on the number of Nevadans targeted and the status of the investigation fuels these concerns.