The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, along with the Equal Justice Society and 75 other groups, on Dec. 15 issued the following statement on the need for President-elect Joe Biden to name an attorney general of the United States and other senior leadership of the U.S. Department of Justice who have strong records with regard to civil rights enforcement and justice reform:
“The Biden-Harris administration must make civil rights enforcement a priority, and the Department of Justice is a pivotal leader in that effort. We need an attorney general and other senior leadership who are committed to ending discrimination; addressing white supremacy and hate violence; and advancing racial, gender, disability, ethnic, religious, immigrant, and LGBTQ justice. We need leaders who understand the authority, processes, and mission of the department, and who will defend the bedrock principle of equal justice for all people in America.
“We expect the department to be led with integrity, impartiality, and independence. Americans deserve an attorney general with a deep respect for the fundamental principles of liberty and justice for all, a demonstrated commitment to protecting and advancing the civil rights of everyone, and an unyielding dedication to transforming the criminal legal system.
“We look forward to working with the new department leadership and holding them accountable to achieve these goals.”