Brenna Bird, the Attorney General of Iowa, has recently stated that her decision to scrutinize a financial company based in New York was triggered by growing apprehensions surrounding antisemitism in commercial activity. Beginning last Thursday, Bird commenced an examination into MSCI, a company that offers financial investment services and houses data and analytic tools for investment funds. This comes in response to claims that MSCI has been singling out businesses with ties to Israel. Bird is part of the Republican party, and noted in a recent discussion on Iowa Press that her investigation is grounded in concerns about MSCI’s investment evaluation system. She believes it may undervalue Israeli businesses and those that have affiliations with Israel.
Bird mentioned that a subpoena has been issued to acquire crucial documents that would help clarify the situation. She emphasized her zeal to prevent the corporate world from being tainted by antisemitism. Bird reflected on the increase of antisemitic occurrences especially after the traumatic events of October 7th. She candidly expressed her staunch support for Israel and her conviction that such biases in business and society should not be tolerated. MSCI uses an assessment system involving ESG (environmental, social, and governmental) factors, alongside standard fiscal practices typically used for investment evaluations.
ESG evaluation methodologies have grown increasingly popular among businesses that wish to go further than just maximizing investment returns. These companies aspire to understand the broader societal and environmental impacts of their investments. However, Republican representatives in states like Iowa argue that these ESG practices can lead to the unjustified targeting of particular industries, like guns and fossil fuels.
In the past, Republican legislators in Iowa have promoted laws that prevent the state’s public funds from being invested in firms adopting ESG strategies. Nonetheless, state officials claim that systems like the Iowa Public Employees Retirement System do not currently employ ESG investment practices. Earlier in August, Bird spearheaded a group of attorneys general who drafted a letter to the U.S. Treasury Department, objecting to proposed restrictions on states that limit banks from using ESG strategies in their investments.
In addition to Bird’s subpoena of MSCI, she also informed Iowa Press about her other endeavors to counter antisemitism. Noteworthy among her initiatives is an antisemitism task force she set up in the state in May. This action was prompted by an escalating number of accusations of hate crimes linked to antisemitism, particularly in the wake of political unrest stirred by the Hamas attack on Israel and the ensuing retaliatory actions taken by Israel. These events led to widespread protests throughout the U.S., most notably among college students advocating for a ceasefire.
The Attorney General shared that the task force is arranging a training session designed for law enforcement officials, prosecutors, and educational professionals. The goal of the training is to shed light on the instances of hate crimes, particularly those of an antisemitic nature, and clarify the bounds of freedom of speech in educational settings. Bird stressed the importance of equipping law enforcement and prosecutors with the necessary knowledge to identify hate crimes and gather the required evidence for court proceedings.
Bird illustrates the task force’s commitment to offer extensive training on understanding and identifying hate crimes. If such crimes are not recognized due to lack of education and awareness, critical evidence may go unnoticed. The task force’s objective, therefore, is to ensure that the necessary tools are provided so incidents can be properly documented and legal action taken if necessary. If help is needed, Bird assures them that her office will be available to provide the necessary resources.
Bird takes the occasion to announce that the task force will also conduct training sessions specifically aimed at identifying and understanding antisemitic crimes. While the education in hate crimes will cover a broad range of offenses, particular attention will be given to the topic of antisemitism, ensuring a more comprehensive understanding of such offenses.
While serving as attorney general, Bird expressed her strong views on cases she has taken on against the current administration. She clarified that while she has challenged the current administration, it was never a personal attack on President Biden or Vice President Harris. Instead, her legal battles were solely based on matters pertaining to the Constitution and legal matters.
She confessed to not having an exact count of the lawsuits she has filed against the administration, but she adamantly disputed claims that her legal challenges propagated from political motives. This statement comes as an ironic counterclaim to criticisms she hurled at the New York criminal trial of former President Donald Trump.
Bird publicly endorsed Trump for the Republican nomination during the 2024 Iowa caucuses, and she even made an appearance at his trial earlier that year. She says, ‘I want to set the record straight. I have never pursued a lawsuit against President Biden or Vice President Harris personally. My legal actions have been strictly with regards to the constitution and laws.’
The Iowa Attorney General visited New York to support President Trump because she felt the need to ascertain the state of affairs as a prosecutor. However, she strongly emphasizes that politics has no place in criminal prosecution and sees this mix as detrimental. Drawing from her experience as a county attorney, she reaffirmed that the political affiliations of defendants she prosecuted were never made known to her, and even if they were, it wouldn’t affect her decisions in court.
She believes that the incident in New York was a serious blow to the judicial system and the rule of law at large. By mixing politics with criminal prosecution, it undermines objectivity and the purpose of the justice system. Bird ended her discussion with a declaration on how such practices are harmful to the legal system and the very essence of rule of law as a whole.
All in all, Brenna Bird exemplifies dedication and resilience in her role as Iowa’s Attorney General. Her fearless stance against antisemitism and unwavering commitment to justice, alongside navigating political nuances in her pursuit to uphold the rule of law, encapsulates her overall approach to law enforcement. Her efforts in leading initiatives against antisemitism, fostering a task force to combat hate crimes, and her profound respect for the rule of law paints a vivid picture of the vital role she plays in ensuring justice is served indiscriminately.