Loudoun County Father Receives Pardon Amid Controversial School Policies

Governor Glenn Youngkin takes decisive action to redress a local father’s criminal charges.

In a move that underscores the ongoing debates around school policies and parental involvement, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has granted Scott Smith, a Loudoun County father, an absolute pardon. Smith had previously been convicted after standing up for his daughter, who was sexually assaulted at a Loudoun County school, during a school board meeting in 2021.

The case drew widespread attention due to its connection with the Loudoun County School Board’s gender policies. Smith’s daughter was assaulted in the girls’ restroom by a student claiming to be “gender fluid.” Following the incident, Smith was subsequently charged with obstruction of justice and disorderly conduct when he attended a Loudoun County School Board meeting.

Note: Gender fluid refers to a gender identity or expression that is not fixed to one gender and may shift over time. A gender-fluid person might feel male on some days, female on others, both male and female, or even neither, depending on the individual’s feelings and experiences at any given time. It’s an identity that recognizes the flexible and dynamic nature of gender experience rather than a strictly binary or static concept. Gender fluidity is part of the broader non-binary gender category, which includes any gender identities that don’t strictly align with traditional male or female classifications.

Governor Youngkin said, “In Virginia, parents matter, and my resolve to empower parents is unwavering. A parent’s fundamental right to be involved in their child’s education, upbringing, and care should never be undermined by bureaucracy, school divisions, or the state.” In addition to the pardon, Youngkin’s administration has taken further steps in addressing the situation, including firing Superintendent Ziegler after an investigation revealed a cover-up of the sexual assaults in Loudoun County.

Click here to read Governor Youngkin’s Executive Order Four, ordered on his first day of office.

Smith’s attorneys, Bill Stanley, and Mike Joynes, highlighted the challenges faced by parents who voice concerns against school policies, stating that Smith was wrongfully arrested and charged because he stood up for his daughter and opposed certain school board decisions. They expressed their gratitude to Governor Youngkin for recognizing the wrongs done to Smith by the judicial system and taking corrective action.

Scott Smith himself expressed his distress over the incident and subsequent charges, explaining that his attendance at the school board meeting was out of concern for his daughter’s safety and that of other students. Following his pardon, Smith announced his intention to pursue further legal action to hold the responsible entities accountable and emphasized, “I am just a father who will go to the ends of the earth to protect his daughter.”

Governor Youngkin’s pardon of Scott Smith has shed light on the ongoing debates surrounding school policies and parental rights in Virginia. As discussions continue, the importance of safety and clear communication between schools, parents, and the broader community remains paramount.