DOJ Civil Rights Division

Recent viral videos indicating ASU denied equal treatment to students based on race, color, or national origin — while attempting to hide its discriminatory practices from federal scrutiny — prompted the investigation. “No student should be denied access to opportunities or resources because of race, color, or national origin,” said @AAGDhillon. “The United States is committed to keeping universities free of unlawful discrimination — especially when they try to hide illegal conduct to avoid oversight and compliance.” Read more: justice.gov/opa/pr/justice…

A Washington man was sentenced today to a federal hate crime charge for violently assaulting and stabbing a Black female passenger because of her race. “Today, we have delivered justice with the sentencing of Adan Hernandez-Mayoral for his brutal, racially motivated attack on the victim,” said @AAGDhillon. “Assaults like these destroy our communities by breeding fear and distrust of public places and facilities. The Justice Department will continue to aggressively prosecute such cases to restore safety and confidence in our cities’ streets and transit systems.” 🔗: justice.gov/opa/pr/washing…

Former Correctional Officer Sentenced to 33 Months in Prison for Conspiracy, Obstruction of Justice Charges Related to Unlawful Beating of Inmate “When a correctional officer tampers with evidence or obstructs an investigation into fellow officers, it undercuts the public’s trust in the criminal justice system, thwarts lawful efforts to protect the civil rights of inmates, and threatens the safety of both inmates and other officers,” said @AAGDhillon. “The Department of Justice is committed to holding accountable correctional officers who violate the laws they are sworn to uphold.” 🔗: justice.gov/opa/pr/former-…

San Antonio Tow Company to Pay $280,000 for Illegally Auctioning Servicemember-Owned Vehicles “When members of our Armed Forces are called to fight for our country, they should not have to return home to find that their car has been illegally sold. Towing companies must comply with federal laws that protect servicemembers or face serious consequences,” said @AAGDhillon. “The Department of Justice stands with our men and women in uniform and will vigorously defend their rights under the law.” 🔗: justice.gov/opa/pr/san-ant…

At @TheJusticeDept, @CivilRights is making every effort to ensure that law-abiding Americans enjoy the provisions of the Second Amendment. We’ve launched several suits in states with no prior rulings to ensure that the laws on the books align with our Constitution!

This @CivilRights sued Colorado for effectively outlawing millions of weapons by banning so-called “high capacity” magazines. @TheJusticeDept will not tolerate CO’s backdoor attempt to ban firearms & restrict the rights of law-abiding citizens!

Justice Department Sues University of California for Antisemitic Hostile Educational Environment “Earlier this year, we sued UCLA for subjecting its Jewish and Israeli employees to an antisemitic hostile work environment,” said @AAGDhillon. “Now, the Department of Justice calls UCLA to account for its toleration of the equally appalling hostile educational environment against its Jewish and Israeli students.” 🔗: justice.gov/opa/pr/justice…

Former Texas Correctional Officer Pleads Guilty to Civil Rights Violation “This former corrections officer engaged in a conspiracy to beat and injure a man in his care and custody,” said @AAGDhillon. “Today’s conviction reinforces the Justice Department’s commitment to protect victims from state officials who abuse their power.” 🔗: justice.gov/opa/pr/former-…

The Justice Department announced today that a New Jersey man was charged with making interstate threats to a Jewish organization located in New York, NY. Read more here: justice.gov/opa/pr/new-jer…

Very proud of my @CivilRights team today, arguing that the our federal civil rights laws do indeed require @TheJusticeDept to obtain state voter registration lists—such as the ones in Oregon and California—to help states clean their voter rolls!

Federal Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism Announces 15-City National Awareness & Action Tour “President Trump has made clear that this Administration will not tolerate antisemitism, and the Department of Justice is committed to implementing that directive,” said Acting Attorney General @DAGToddBlanche. “This national tour is an important step in ensuring communities across the country know the federal government stands ready to work with them to confront antisemitic threats, protect public safety, and uphold civil rights.” 🔗: justice.gov/opa/pr/federal…

Justice Department Announces Formation of Advisory Committee on Anti-Semitism “President Trump has made combating antisemitism a top priority for this Administration, and we thank Leo Terrell for his leadership at the Department of Justice in helping to carry out this mission,” said Acting Attorney General @DAGToddBlanche. “Protecting civil rights of every American remains a core responsibility of the Department of Justice.” 🔗: justice.gov/opa/pr/justice…

Justice Department Notifies Washington of Investigation into Whether Housing Biological Men in Women’s Prison Violates Constitution “Under my leadership, the Civil Rights Division will not allow women incarcerated in jails or prisons to be subject to unconstitutional risks of harm from male inmates,” said @AAGDhillon. “The constitutional rights of women cannot be sacrificed at the altar of appeasing unsupported and dangerous ideologies.” 🔗: justice.gov/opa/pr/justice…

The @JusticeDept announced TODAY that Brenda Lee Brown Armstrong has agreed to a plea deal, admitting she paid homeless people in Los Angeles to register to vote in Federal elections to support her paid signature gathering business. @USAttyEssayli Election integrity matters! justice.gov/opa/pr/califor…

.@AAGDhillon, @USAttyEssayli, and Patrick Grandy, Assistant Director in Charge of @FBILosAngeles addressed the media in Los Angeles today about two criminal cases, one concerning a Marina del Rey woman who paid people, including homeless individuals on L.A's Skid Row, to register to vote. The other case concerned a hate crime incident in June 2024 against a Jewish man near a synagogue in L.A.'s Pico-Robertson neighborhood.

This morning in CA, our FBI colleagues arrested Zaid Gitesatani, who was indicted by a grand jury for his alleged assault on a Jewish man outside the Adas Torah Synagogue in Los Angeles, CA in 2024. Antisemitic violence is un-American and illegal! @CivilRights @USAttyEssayli justice.gov/opa/pr/caiforn…

California Woman Federally Charged with Paying Individuals, Including Homeless People on L.A.’s Skid Row, to Register to Vote “False registrations undermine Americans’ faith in elections – even more so when payoffs are involved,” said @AAGDhillon. “This Justice Department is committed to ensuring that all U.S. elections are fair and free from illegal meddling – so that all Americans can accept the results with confidence.” Read more: justice.gov/opa/pr/califor…

California Man Arrested on Federal Indictment Charging Him with Assaulting Jewish Man Near Pico-Robertson Synagogue “The defendant’s conduct, if proven, is a serious violation of the law – every American deserves to live without fear of violence based on who he is or how he worships,” said @AAGDhillon. “The Justice Department is committed to vigorously prosecuting such crimes of hate and violence.” Read more: justice.gov/opa/pr/caiforn…

As Police Week comes to a close, check out the hard work @CivilRights has done to review all federal control of local policing, and make needed adjustments to free many departments from unwarranted overreach. @TheJusticeDept will continue to encourage constitutional policing! 👮🏽‍♂️

As our nation celebrates Police Week, I was honored to welcome @PORACalifornia, America’s largest law enforcement association, to discuss our efforts to support police officers nationwide. @CivilRights is committed to ensuring that America is protected by constitutional policing.