Hi,
BREAKING: Merrick Garland says his Department of Justice will NOT
prosecute Trump officials, including former Commerce Secretary Wilbur
Ross, even though an inspector general found evidence they provided false
testimony about the origins of the proposed citizenship question on the
2020 census.^1
This sets a terrible precedent, and gives reason to be deeply concerned
about how Merrick Garland’s DOJ will handle the crimes committed during
the Trump administration. We need accountability for the Trump years --
and the DOJ has a critical role to play in making this happen.
[ [link removed] ]Sign the petition: The DOJ must hold Trump officials accountable! Stop
letting them off the hook.
ADD YOUR NAME
We know there was consistent chaos and rule-breaking across the Trump
years, but what exactly did Wilbur Ross do? That's a great question.
In 2019, the Commerce inspector general launched its probe into Ross
following a request from a group of Senators, including Elizabeth Warren,
Chuck Schumer, and Kamala Harris. The Senators said in their letter that
Wilbur Ross and other Trump officials played a "substantive role" in
proposing the addition of the citizenship question to the 2020 Census.
Senators were concerned that adding a citizenship question to the Census
would deter non-citizens from participating in the census. As we know, the
census is critical for ensuring that resources are allocated fairly across
the country and that we have strong representation in Congress. Eventually
the Supreme Court ruled against Ross and the Trump Administration and
blocked the citizenship question from the Census.
Ross twice told Congress the addition of the citizenship question was
based solely on a request from the Justice Department, but the inspector
general found Ross "misrepresented the full rationale" behind the
decision. The IG's findings follow emails that clearly demonstrate the
role Ross, the White House and other Commerce officials played well before
the DOJ became involved in the matter, making it abundantly clear that
Ross may have lied directly to Congress.^2
When Trump officials so blatantly misled Congress to further their hateful
agenda, why is Merrick Garland allowing his Department of Justice to let
them off the hook?
We need to send a clear message that the American people want full
accountability for Trump officials who broke the law.
[ [link removed] ]Add your name: Merrick Garland, the DOJ must hold Trump officials
accountable!
Thanks for taking action,
Maria and the team at Demand Progress
[ [link removed] ]DONATE
Sources:
1. Government Executive, "DOJ Will Not Prosecute Trump Officials After IG
Referred Findings of False Testimony on Census," [ [link removed] ]July 16, 2021.
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