Ahead of Attorney General nominee William Barr’s confirmation hearings this week, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) released an overview of Mr. Barr’s record on civil rights throughout his career, including his time in the DOJ during the George H.W. Bush Administration.
Sherrilyn Ifill, LDF’s President and Director-Counsel issued the following statement:
“Our Justice Department must be led by an Attorney General that respects the independence of the special counsel, that will uphold the rule of law and enforce our nation’s civil rights laws. Our review of William Barr’s record demonstrates that he is hostile to sensible criminal justice reform and civil rights for marginalized communities.
“Mr. Barr’s Bush Administration criminal justice policies led to a surge in incarceration, and continue to drive racial inequality and poverty, creating barriers to opportunity and devastating communities of color.
“He also holds hostile views towards the LGBTQ community, as well as troubling ideas about the government’s role in enforcing religious-based concepts that are unconstitutional and threaten civil rights.
“We urge the Senate Judiciary Committee to engage in a full and thorough vetting to properly satisfy its duty to ‘advise and consent.’ The next Attorney General must repair and restore integrity and fairness to the Justice Department and ensure that all persons are treated equally under the law.”
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