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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law President and Executive Director Kristen Clarke issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s nomination of Alexander Acosta as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor:

“I am astonished by the nomination of Alexander Acosta to serve as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor.  Mr. Acosta led the Civil Rights Division at a time that was marked by stark politicization, and other improper hiring and personnel decisions that were fully laid to bare in a 2008 report issued by the Office of Inspector General (OIG).  The OIG found that actions taken during Mr. Acosta’s tenure violated Justice Department policy and federal law. Political and ideological affiliations were used as a litmus test to evaluate job candidates and career attorneys, wreaking havoc on the work of the Division.  This egregious conduct played out under Mr. Acosta’s watch and undermined the integrity of the Civil Rights Division.  It is hard to believe that Mr. Acosta would now be nominated to lead a federal agency tasked with promoting lawful hiring practices and safe workplaces.”

About the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (Lawyers’ Committee), a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, was formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy to involve the private bar in providing legal services to address racial discrimination. Formed over 50 years ago, we continue our quest of “Moving America Toward Justice.” The principal mission of the Lawyers’ Committee is to secure, through the rule of law, equal justice under law, particularly in the areas of fair housing and community development; economic justice; voting; education; and criminal justice.  For more information about the Lawyers’ Committee, visit www.lawyerscommittee.org.        

CONTACT:

Stacie Burgess
Director of Communications and External Affairs
sburgess@lawyerscommittee.org
202-662-8317

 

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