FBI settles lawsuit after being forced to release transgender killer’s manifesto that Biden Administration tried to conceal from the American public.
Key Takeaways
- The Tennessee Star won its lawsuit against the FBI, resulting in the release of transgender school shooter Audrey Elizabeth Hale’s writings and $86,000 in legal fees paid by the FBI.
- The FBI had previously refused to release Hale’s manifesto despite Freedom of Information Act requests, citing concerns about “inflaming conspiracy theories.”
- Settlement negotiations began only after FBI Director Kash Patel, appointed by President Trump, took over the agency.
- The case highlights the importance of press freedom and government transparency in holding federal agencies accountable.
- Congressman John Rose confirmed suspicions that information was withheld because the shooter identified as transgender.
Victory for Government Transparency and Accountability
The Tennessee Star has successfully settled its lawsuit against the FBI, forcing the agency to release 120 pages of the Covenant School killer’s manifesto that the Biden administration had desperately tried to keep hidden from public view. The federal agency also agreed to pay more than $86,000 in legal fees to the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty (WILL), which represented The Star in this landmark case. This settlement marks a significant win for government transparency and demonstrates how the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) remains a crucial tool for citizens seeking truth from government institutions intent on concealing information from the public.
“This is a win for government transparency and efforts by real journalists to keep their government open and accountable,” said Dan Lennington, Deputy Counsel at the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty.
Biden Administration’s Attempted Cover-Up
The lawsuit centered around Audrey Elizabeth Hale’s writings before the March 27, 2023 shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville, where six innocent people were murdered. Despite multiple FOIA requests, the FBI under Biden’s administration repeatedly refused to release the documents, claiming that doing so might “inflame conspiracy theories.” The Star had previously published Hale’s 2023 journal, representing only about 15% of the killer’s total writings. The remaining 85% remained hidden from public view until this successful legal challenge forced their disclosure to Judicial Watch.
“Like many of you, I have long suspected some of this information was shielded from public view because this shooter considered herself to be transgender,” said Congressman John Rose after reviewing the full writings.
This statement confirms what many conservatives suspected all along – that the Biden administration was actively concealing information that didn’t align with their progressive agenda, specifically regarding transgender issues. The shooter, who identified as male despite being biologically female, targeted a Christian school in what appears to have been an ideologically motivated attack. Yet the FBI’s leadership worked diligently to prevent Americans from learning the full truth behind this tragedy.
Trump Administration Takes Action
Settlement negotiations only began after President Trump appointed Kash Patel as FBI Director, indicating a clear shift in priorities toward transparency and accountability within the agency. The Tennessee Star had previously invited the FBI to settle the lawsuit after Patel’s nomination, recognizing that the new leadership would likely take a different approach to government openness. This change in leadership proved crucial in finally bringing this case to a successful conclusion and securing the release of documents that Americans deserve to see.
“Journalists everywhere should be willing to go to the mat to hold their government accountable, regardless of the story or who is in charge at the nation’s capital,” said Michael Patrick Leahy, CEO and Editor-in-chief of The Star News Network.
The settlement represents a significant victory not just for The Tennessee Star but for all Americans who believe in the fundamental importance of government transparency. While the Biden administration spent years fighting to hide information from the public, the Trump administration has moved quickly to restore accountability and openness. This case serves as a powerful reminder that FOIA remains an essential tool for citizens and journalists seeking to uncover truth and hold government agencies accountable for their actions.
