As Attorney General Merrick Garland bid farewell to his staff, Kristen Clarke, the first Black woman to lead the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, sat in her office reflecting on her historic tenure.
Her leadership came at a tumultuous time marked by racial reckoning, a pandemic disproportionately affecting communities of color, and a surge in hate crimes.
Under Clarke’s stewardship, the division achieved landmark victories against hate crimes and rogue policing practices. Yet, as her tenure ends with the Biden administration, Clarke acknowledges there’s unfinished business.
“I was sworn into my role on the one-year anniversary of George Floyd’s death,” Clarke said, surrounded by portraits of civil rights icons like Thurgood Marshall and Nelson Mandela. “It’s not lost on me that there’s still more work to do to advance the cause of justice.”
Fighting Hate and Reforming Policing
Clarke’s division prosecuted more than 125 hate crime perpetrators, including those responsible for the murders of Ahmaud Arbery, the Buffalo supermarket mass shooting, and the El Paso Walmart massacre. Her team also released a historic report detailing the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
In policing reform, Clarke’s division secured consent decrees in Minneapolis and Louisville, addressing systemic abuses laid bare by the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Tyre Nichols.
These reforms, however, face uncertainty under the incoming Trump administration, which previously restricted the DOJ’s ability to hold law enforcement accountable.
“The glaring areas of racial disparity in public safety remain a pressing concern,” Clarke said, highlighting the division’s success in convicting over 180 police officers for civil rights violations.
A Legacy of Resilience Amid Bigotry
Clarke’s work wasn’t without personal and political challenges. From her contentious Senate confirmation hearings, where Republicans like Sen.
Ted Cruz questioned her impartiality, to racist and sexist attacks, she became a frequent target.
Despite the scrutiny, Clarke remained steadfast. “These are the kind of stories that keep you up at night but also inspire you to come into work every day,” she said, referencing her direct engagement with victims of hate and discrimination.
Advocates like Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, lauded Clarke’s resilience. “She handled baseless attacks with grace and an unwavering commitment to justice,” Spitalnick said.
Concerns Over Trump-Era Policies
As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, fears of civil rights rollbacks loom large. Clarke’s achievements, including lawsuits against restrictive voting laws in states like Texas and Georgia, hang in the balance. Trump’s administration previously limited DOJ investigations into police misconduct and is expected to take a similarly conservative approach.
Clarke, however, expressed confidence in the DOJ’s career staff. “These are dedicated folks who hold their heads down, follow the facts, and apply the law,” she said.
Her departure was marked by a packed farewell celebration featuring civil rights leaders like Marc Morial of the National Urban League and attorney Ben Crump. Yet, the mood was bittersweet, as advocates braced for renewed battles under the Trump administration.
“We are entering an era where vigilance is more crucial than ever,” said Spitalnick, reflecting on Clarke’s enduring impact.