thejusticedept

U.S. Department of Justice

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"Because of what happened here in Birmingham, I stand before you today as Attorney General of the United States, serving in the cabinet of the first African American President of the United States. That progress is real, it is remarkable, and it should be a source of pride and hope for all Americans." – Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch during her final speech as Attorney General at 16th Street Baptist Church in commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Delaware's Wilmington Police Department greets Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch and Senator Chris Coons. Photo courtesy of Senator Coons' office.
“We may speak different languages; we may read from different books of scripture; we may call our God by different names. But we all love this country and the ideals for which it stands,” Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch said today during remarks at an interfaith event at the All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) Center on the Justice Department’s Commitment to Combatting Hate Crimes. “[T]he Department of Justice – and the entire Obama Administration – regards hate crimes with the utmost seriousness, whether they target individuals because of their race, their religion, their gender, or their sexual orientation. And that is why we have worked tirelessly over the last several years to bring those who perpetrate these heinous deeds to justice,” Attorney General Lynch said. “Our federal hate crimes laws are among the most powerful tools we have for creating a more just and equal nation & career Justice Department prosecutors will continue to enforce them.” More at justice.gov
Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch today released the following statement regarding the decision by the Department of the Army in the Dakota Access Pipeline matter: “In light of today's decision by the Department of the Army regarding the Dakota Access Pipeline, the Department of Justice will continue to monitor the situation in North Dakota in the days ahead and we stand ready to provide resources to help all those who can play a constructive role in easing tensions. The department remains committed to supporting local law enforcement, defending protestors’ constitutional right to free speech and fostering thoughtful dialogue on the matter. We recognize the strong feelings that exist in connection with this issue, but it is imperative that all parties express their views peacefully and join us in support of a deliberate and reasonable process for de-escalation and healing. The safety of everyone in the area – law enforcement officers, residents and protesters alike – continues to be our foremost concern.” The Attorney General’s statement is also available at https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/statement-attorney-general-loretta-e-lynch-regarding-army-s-decision-dakota-access-pipeline #DAPL
“For the last several months, the Department of Justice has been monitoring the situation in North Dakota closely, and we remain in close communication with law enforcement officials, tribal representatives, and protesters in an effort to reduce tensions and foster dialogue. We continue to support the protestors’ constitutional right to free speech, and we expect everyone involved to exercise restraint, to refrain from violence and to express their views peacefully. Let me stress that violence is never the answer and that all of us have a responsibility to find common ground around a peaceful resolution where all voices are heard.”—Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch in a video statement regarding the Dakota Access Pipeline protests. #DAPL See the full video at justice.gov/videos
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“At a time when rhetoric and ideology divide us, and bitterness and mistrust tear at the fabric of our democracy, we need you to model service to a larger cause. We need you to remind us that our responsibility as Americans is to promote the welfare of all our people; to protect the vulnerable and the weak; and to ensure that the nation we leave for our children is better than the one our parents inherited. We need you to bring us back to the heart of our greatness, the beauty of our different voices, paths and faces coming together as one people. We need you to remind us of what we have achieved together, in the early motto of this great country: E pluribus unum. Out of many, one.”—Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch speaking today at the United States Military Academy. Read the Attorney General’s remarks at: https://www.justice.gov/opa/speech/attorney-general-loretta-e-lynch-delivers-remarks-united-states-military-academy
Today, Princess Cruise Lines Ltd. (Princess) has agreed to plead guilty to seven felony charges stemming from its deliberate pollution of the seas and intentional acts to cover it up. Princess will pay a $40 million penalty– the largest-ever criminal penalty involving deliberate vessel pollution – and plead guilty to charges related to illegal dumping of oil contaminated waste from the Caribbean Princess cruise ship. “The pollution in this case was the result of more than just bad actors on one ship,” said Assistant Attorney General John C. Cruden for the Environment and Natural Resources Division. “It reflects very poorly on Princess’s culture and management. This is a company that knew better and should have done better. Hopefully the outcome of this case has the potential not just to chart a new course for this company, but for other companies as well.” Read more on today’s announcement at: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/princess-cruise-lines-pay-largest-ever-criminal-penalty-deliberate-vessel-pollution
Today, the Department of Justice announced a series of reforms at the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) designed to reduce recidivism and increase the likelihood of inmates’ safe and successful return to the community. These efforts include building a semi-autonomous school district within the federal prison system, reforming federal halfway houses, covering the cost of obtaining state-issued photo IDs for federal inmates prior to their release from custody and providing additional services for female inmates. “Helping incarcerated individuals prepare for life after prison is not just sound public policy; it is a moral imperative,” said Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch. “These critical reforms will help give federal inmates the tools and assistance they need to successfully return home as productive, law-abiding members of society. By putting returning citizens in a position to make the most of their second chance, we can create stronger communities, safer neighborhoods and brighter futures for all.” Read about current and ongoing reforms at the Bureau of Prisons at www.justice.gov/prison-reform<http://www.justice.gov/prison-reform> Photo: Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch discussing the Justice Department’s announcement of reforms at the Bureau of Prisons to reduce recidivism and promote inmate rehabilitation at a White House Convening on #CriminalJusticeReform with White House Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett
“You come to us from 40 nations around the world, from Sierra Leone to South Korea, from Pakistan to Portugal, from Mexico to Malaysia. From so many places and through so many paths you have come here to be with all of us – illustrating this country’s motto of ‘E Pluribus Unum’ – out of many, one.”—Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch at a naturalization ceremony at the Justice Department conducted by @USCIS. USCIS Director León Rodríguez administered the Oath of Allegiance to more than 50 candidates from 40 countries who became #newUScitizens. Check out a video of the ceremony at justice.gov/videos
“I know that many Americans are concerned by a spate of recent news reports about alleged hate crimes and harassment. Some of these incidents have happened in schools. Others have targeted houses of worship. And some have singled out individuals for attacks and intimidation. The FBI is assessing, in conjunction with federal prosecutors, whether particular incidents constitute violations of federal law. We need you to continue to report these incidents to local law enforcement, as well as the Justice Department, so that our career investigators and prosecutors can take action to defend your rights. You can find information about federal hate crimes laws – and other civil rights laws that the department enforces, including protections for students in schools – on our Civil Rights Division’s website. Our site also contains resources for communities working to prevent and respond to hate crimes, as well.”—Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch in a video statement on the FBI’s newly announced 2015 hate crime statistics as well as on recent media reports of alleged hate crimes and harassment around the country. The statement reminds individuals to report these incidents to both local law enforcement and the Justice Department in order to ensure that career investigators and prosecutors are able to enforce hate crime statutes at the local, state and federal level. See the full video at justice.gov/videos
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“The right to counsel is not only a constitutional imperative but vital to the effective functioning – and legitimacy – of the U.S. criminal justice system.”—Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Bill Baer at the Second International Conference on Access to #LegalAid in Criminal Justice Systems Read more at justice.gov
“Far too many of our fellow Americans still find themselves priced out of justice. Far too many of our fellow Americans are still forced to choose between paying court fees and paying rent. And far too many of our fellow Americans are one court appearance away from debt, unemployment, or homelessness. Bringing justice to those who feel excluded and left behind is one of the great civil rights challenges of our times.”— Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch at the Eight Annual Judge Thomas A. Flannery Lecture. Read more at justice.gov
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