At least six federal prosecutors are set to leave their positions in the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, according to sources familiar with the matter. Most of the departing attorneys serve as supervisors in the division’s criminal section.
The Civil Rights Division’s criminal section handles cases that involve hate crimes, official misconduct, human trafficking and interference with federally protected rights. The prosecutors in this section investigate and bring charges against individuals and entities accused of violating civil rights protections under federal law. The departure of multiple supervisors affects the leadership structure within this specialized unit.
The identities of the prosecutors and the exact reasons for their resignations have not been publicly disclosed. Internal conversations about the departures have taken place among department staff, according to people with knowledge of the situation.
The Department of Justice has not issued a public statement addressing the resignations. It is not yet clear when each of the prosecutors will formally leave their posts or how their caseloads will be reassigned. The Civil Rights Division regularly manages investigations that involve coordination with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country, as well as with state and local law enforcement agencies.
The resignations come at a time when the Civil Rights Division continues to handle a high volume of cases related to policing practices, hate crimes and other civil rights issues.
The Civil Rights Division was created in 1957 to enforce federal statutes that prohibit discrimination and protect constitutional rights. Its criminal section focuses on enforcing laws that carry potential prison sentences, fines and other criminal penalties.