Blog

The Lunatic Left’s Suspect Superintendent

The Outrage of an Illegal Alien Superintendent and the Des Moines School Board’s Stunning Failure

Getty Images; ICE

The arrest of Ian Roberts, the superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on September 26, 2025, is not just a scandal-it’s a gut-wrenching betrayal of trust. Roberts, an illegal alien with a 2024 deportation order and a 2020 weapons misdemeanor, oversaw 31,000 students in Iowa’s largest district. Notably, he was arrested by ICE illegally in possession of a handgun, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(5), which prohibits firearm possession by illegal aliens and carries a penalty of up to 10 years under § 924(a)(2). The core outrage isn’t the legal term “illegal alien” (as defined by 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(3) and § 1325), which accurately describes his status, but the fact that he held this position at all.

Even more infuriating is the Des Moines School Board’s abject failure to perform even a modicum of due diligence in vetting him. A cursory glance at his public presence-discrepancies in birthdates (1970, 1973, 1978), unverified degrees, and overlapping employment claims-screams disqualification, illegal status aside. This isn’t a gray area; it’s a glaring red flag ignored by a board led by Jackie Norris, who previously worked for Michelle Obama as Chief of Staff and is running for U.S. Senate, whose leadership now hangs in the balance.

The board’s negligence is indefensible. Relying on a 2023 state license and a third-party background check that missed a deportation order and weapons charge is inexcusable. The secretive hiring process, driven by an equity agenda, prioritized narrative over law, allowing an individual with a loaded Glock 19 and $3,000 cash to lead a district with 15% English language learners. This isn’t just oversight-it’s a systemic collapse that endangers students and erodes public faith.

Reaction from the Left

The response from the Left to this scandal has been nothing short of a retreat, a reaction akin to a vampire recoiling from the Cross. Where once Democrats championed stringent gun laws and the safety of school children-pushing for background checks, red flag laws, and armed security in the wake of every school shooting-they now fall silent as an illegal alien superintendent, armed with a Glock 19, oversaw a district of 31,000 students. As David Strom notes in a Hot Air article, the Left’s outrage over immigration enforcement has blinded them to the hypocrisy: a man with a deportation order and a weapons charge, ignored by the Des Moines School Board, represents a direct threat to the very children they claim to protect.

Democrat figures like Des Moines Rep. Larry McBurney have called the ICE arrest a “disgrace” and federal overreach, yet they sidestep the fact that Roberts’ illegal firearm possession violates laws they’ve long supported. This selective amnesia suggests a deeper agenda: protecting an immigration narrative at the expense of school safety, turning their previous advocacy into a hollow shell. The “vampire to the Cross” metaphor fits perfectly-exposure to this truth repels them, forcing a retreat from principles they once held sacred when politically convenient.

Accountability Under Iowa and Federal Law

Iowa law and federal statutes provide clear mechanisms to address this gross mismanagement. Under Iowa Code § 256.11(11), the Iowa Department of Education (IDE) can investigate and intervene when a district’s governance fails to meet state standards. Roberts’ flight from ICE and illegal possession of a handgun, violating 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(5), constitute a crisis affecting student safety, justifying emergency powers under § 256.11(13) for state control. The board’s actions-or inaction-could be deemed “willful neglect of duty,” allowing for potential removal proceedings under § 66.1A.

Individually, board members, including Norris, face potential removal through court action under Iowa Code § 66.1A for misconduct, though such proceedings are rare and require significant evidence. Alternatively, public pressure could influence board resignations, though no recall election is available under Iowa law. State control could involve appointing a temporary administrator-perhaps interim superintendent Matt Smith (The Guardian)-to stabilize the district, with restructuring possible under § 256.11(12) if governance proves irreparable.

Federally, 8 U.S.C. § 1324a prohibits employing unauthorized aliens, exposing the district to civil penalties of up to $3,000 per violation and six months’ imprisonment for a pattern or practice (§ 1324a(e)(4)). Additionally, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(5) criminalizes firearm possession by illegal aliens, with penalties up to 10 years under § 924(a)(2), directly applicable to Roberts’ arrest. While prosecutions of public entities are rare, the Department of Justice could investigate, especially if voter fraud is confirmed (intrepid reporter query). More critically, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) tie federal funding to nondiscrimination and proper governance. The board’s failure to ensure a lawful superintendent could trigger a loss of millions in ESSA funds (educate.iowa.gov, 2024-25 data), a severe but justified consequence.

The Path Forward

The IDE should launch an investigation by Monday, September 29, 2025, under § 256.11(11), with emergency oversight likely if safety risks escalate due to Roberts’ illegal handgun possession. Replacing the board with a temporary administrator is feasible, though legal thresholds (e.g., proving intent) may delay full state control. Federal funding cuts could begin within 90 days if the U.S. Department of Education finds noncompliance, pressuring swift action.

This scandal demands more than apologies. Norris’ Senate candidacy and the board’s diversity focus cannot excuse neglecting a CV that any Google search would flag-let alone an illegal alien status ignored despite a deportation order. The Left’s recoil (my “vampire to the Cross” metaphor) from this legal reality, as Margot Cleveland notes, only deepens the betrayal. Iowa must act decisively-remove the board, install state oversight, and safeguard federal funds-to restore trust in a district blindsided by its own leaders’ failure.

Like this post? Become a Citizen Producer!

James K. Bishop

James K. Bishop is a conservative writer and raconteur hailing from Texas, known for his incisive and often provocative takes on political and cultural issues. With a staunch commitment to originalist constitutional principles, he emphasizes limited government, individual liberties, and traditional American values. Active on X under the handle @James_K_Bishop, he frequently engages his audience with sharp critiques of progressive policies, media narratives, and overreaches by the federal government. His style is direct, often laced with humor and wit, which resonates strongly with his conservative followers.