(Washington, DC) – Attorney-General Jeff Sessions submitted his resignation today at the request of US President Donald Trump. The following quote can be attributed to Nicole Austin-Hillery, US director at Human Rights Watch.
“Former Attorney General Jeff Sessions has been no friend to human rights, including over criminal justice and immigration policies. But President Trump’s decision to request Sessions’ resignation raises serious concerns about his commitment to the rule of law in the United States. From fanning racial discord and demonizing immigrants to his no-holds-barred attacks on officials who disagree with him, Trump has shown little respect for the checks and balances that allow freedom and rights to flourish.
We hope that the next Attorney General will address overly harsh prison sentences and work with the White House and Congress to reduce mass incarceration at the federal level. As the top law-enforcement official, the new Attorney General should have the Department of Justice proactively investigate reports of hate crimes in an effort to counteract related violence. The new Attorney General should also end family detention and respect people’s right to seek asylum.”
