Attorney General Jason Miyares has demanded that Bank of America cease its practice of debanking conservatives. In a letter joined by a 15-state coalition, Attorney General Miyares called out the bank for discrimination against customers based on their political and religious views. He stated, "Bank of America’s blatant discrimination against account holders whose political and religious ideologies don’t align with its own is appalling and un-American. As Attorney General, I will protect the constitutional liberties of all Virginians."
The letter highlighted instances where Bank of America had denied services to specific groups for political and religious reasons, such as gun manufacturers, fossil fuel producers, and Christian ministry groups. It also pointed out the bank's cooperation with law enforcement in profiling conservative and religious Americans as potential domestic terrorists.
Attorneys general from multiple states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Texas, and Utah, have joined Attorney General Miyares in calling on Bank of America to provide a written report about its account policies, update its terms of service to ensure non-discrimination based on political or religious views, and remove prohibitions on "intolerance" and "hate" from its online banking service agreement.
The coalition of attorneys general warned that Bank of America's actions could lead to legal liability under consumer protection and antidiscrimination laws. They emphasized the importance of upholding free speech and religious freedom, stating that the bank's behavior could result in investigations, litigation, regulation, and political repercussions.
Bank of America has been given a 30-day deadline to respond to the demands outlined in the letter. Attorney General Miyares and his counterparts are prepared to take further action if the bank fails to address the concerns raised regarding its treatment of conservative and religious customers.