Schumer Statement Following Meeting With President Biden’s Department Of Justice Nominees
Washington, D.C. — Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) released the following statement today regarding his virtual meeting with President Biden’s nominees for Attorney General, Deputy Attorney General, Associate Attorney General, and Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights:
“I had a very productive and important conversation with Attorney General-designate Merrick Garland, Deputy Attorney General-designate Lisa Monaco, Associate Attorney General-designate Vanita Gupta, and Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights-designate Kristen Clarke. We had a much-needed discussion that focused on police accountability, voting rights, federal marijuana enforcement policy, domestic terrorism and accountability for those who participated in the violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6th. Specifically I urged that the DOJ make protecting the vote a top priority, commit all of its tools to advancing accountability and improving trust of police officers, respect the rights of states that have legalized marijuana and bring the participants in the January 6th insurrection attempt to justice.
“For four years President Trump treated the Department of Justice as his personal legal team to defend his lies, bigotry and contempt for the rule of law. President Biden’s Department of Justice officials are highly qualified individuals who will not repeat the unethical decisions of their predecessors. Merrick, Lisa, Vanita, and Kristen have the needed expertise to fairly defend the interests of all Americans and provide equal and impartial justice.”
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