Ted Cruz did not defend Nazi ideology or practices. Instead, he objected to the classification of a Nazi salute performed by a man protesting school masking as a threat. Addressing the matter at a Congressional hearing, Cruz said,
"My God! A parent did a Nazi salute because they thought the policies were oppressive. General Garland, is doing a Nazi salute at an elected official...protected by the First Amendment?" Attorney General Merrick Garland responded, "Yes, it is."
In September, the National School Board Association requested federal law enforcement to protect "education leaders" from violence and intimidation, citing more than 20 instances, including the Nazi salute. Less than a week later, the Justice Department issued a memo disclosing it would be coordinating with local law enforcement to "discourage" and "prosecute" future threats.
Garland refused to rescind the memo despite Republican pressure.