After a party-line vote, the nomination of Kristen Clarke to lead the DOJ Civil Rights Division will be sent to the full Senate for consideration. As the RNLA has repeatedly highlighted, Clarke's nomination is one of the most dangerous nominations made by the Biden Administration thus far. Prior to today's vote, Senator Cruz noted that Clarke "has spent her life on the extreme left-wing.”
So what are some of the major concerns that Republicans brought up during today's hearing?
Senator Lee pointed out that Clarke has differing views on voter intimidation depending on what party the perpetrator belongs to.
Unfortunately @KristenClarkeJD history is 100% partisan. At @LawyersComm she refused to even acknowledge voter suppression of Green and Republican Party voters in Philadelphia. At DOJ, she opposed prosecuting voter intimidation of African Americans when it was done by Democrats.
— RNLA ⚖️ (@TheRepLawyer) May 13, 2021
.@SenMikeLee points out clear examples of Clarke’s willingness to apply the law differently depending on political affiliation.
— RNLA ⚖️ (@TheRepLawyer) May 13, 2021
“Does Ms. Clarke oppose all voter intimidation? Or just voter intimidation against certain groups?”
Ranking Member Grassley and Senator Lee highlighted Clarke's past remarks that indicate how she is in favor of chilling free speech.
#KristenClarke criticized the Trump Administration for a *religious liberty* task force. This is who the Biden Administration and Democrats want to lead the Civil Rights Division.
— RNLA ⚖️ (@TheRepLawyer) May 13, 2021
.@ChuckGrassley is right. Even the prospect of the DOJ using civil rights laws to target the President’s opponents would chill the exercise of free speech. Clarke has shown that she is a partisan, and her history shows that the DOJ’s authority may be misused if she’s confirmed.
— RNLA ⚖️ (@TheRepLawyer) May 13, 2021
One theme throughout the hearing was Clarke's support in the past for the "defund the police" movement. Democrats have tried to dodge the issue, but Clarke took a position on the issue in writing as recently as last year.
.@JohnCornyn: “Ms. Clarke is a partisan culture warrior who’s openly advocated defunding of the police in an op-ed she wrote entitled, “I Prosecuted Police Killings. Defund the Police—But Be Strategic.” Despite the evidence, Clarke has denied her prior position on the issue.
— RNLA ⚖️ (@TheRepLawyer) May 13, 2021
.@SenTedCruz: “Today’s proceedings and the proceedings of the last month have made clear that every single Democratic member of the United States Senate is now on record supporting abolishing the police.” #VanitaGupta #KristenClarke
— RNLA ⚖️ (@TheRepLawyer) May 13, 2021
Senator Lee also highlighted Clarke's controversial and concerning views on race and past support for Tamika Mallory who was ousted from her position at the Women's March for Anti-Semitic comments.
Reporting on #KristenClarke’s support of Tamika Mallory https://t.co/TdqfJcLnhj
— RNLA ⚖️ (@TheRepLawyer) May 13, 2021
Perhaps most concerning is Clarke's unwillingess to own up to her own viewpoints.
Both @SenMikeLee & @JohnCornyn pointed out that @KristenClarkeJD has failed to apologize for her past racist, anti-Semitic, and anti-police past statements and actions. She has instead "evaded responsibility." We ask why is it hard to say "I was wrong to support Anti-Semites?"
— RNLA ⚖️ (@TheRepLawyer) May 13, 2021
.@JohnCornyn: “Someone who refuses to be candid with the Committee should not be in charge of supervising lawyers who are required to be ethical in their appearances before courts of law.” #KristenClarke
— RNLA ⚖️ (@TheRepLawyer) May 13, 2021
As Ranking Member Grassley pointed out, Clarke's nomination is a continuation of "the disturbing trend of highly politicized nominees," and she should be opposed.