Washington, DC — As the Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing concluded today for Kristen Clarke to be assistant attorney general for the Civil Rights Division and Todd Kim to be assistant attorney general for the Environment and Natural Resources Division at the U.S. Justice Department, People For the American Way President Ben Jealous released the following statement:

“Today we witnessed the historic hearings of Kristen Clarke and Todd Kim who are both incredibly qualified leaders with strong commitments to advancing America’s shared values and to protecting our national ideals once confirmed to crucial positions within the U.S. Department of Justice. Clarke has an extensive record as a champion for all Americans and throughout her entire career has shown a core commitment to civil rights that has benefited the lives of those she has worked to protect. Even as Republican senators attempted to obscure her record of service and misrepresent her words, Clarke made clear her dedication to the fair and impartial application of the law and to respecting the rights of all communities in the pursuit of justice. In the pursuit of environmental justice, Kim is unquestionably the right person to enforce environmental laws that ensure protections for clean air and clean water, and protect America’s public health, especially in Indigenous communities and on tribal lands overrun by big oil and gas corporations. Clarke and Kim make stellar choices for the Department of Justice and we strongly urge the Senate to confirm them.”

About People For the American Way

People For the American Way is a progressive advocacy organization founded to fight right-wing extremism and build a democratic society that implements the ideals of freedom, equality, opportunity and justice for all. We encourage civic participation, defend fundamental rights, and fight to dismantle systemic barriers to equitable opportunity. Learn more:https://www.pfaw.org.