AFJ Letter of Support for Lisa Monaco

The Honorable Richard Durbin
Chairman
Senate Judiciary Committee

Dear Chairman Durbin:

On behalf of the Alliance for Justice (AFJ), a national association representing over 120 public interest and civil rights organizations, I write to strongly support the confirmation of Lisa Monaco to serve as Deputy Attorney General of the United States.

Lisa Monaco has decades of experience serving the American people, including at the Justice Department. She is eminently qualified to take the lead in managing the Department and its prosecutors, agents, and employees. She has the background, integrity, and dedication to restore independence and a commitment to the rule of law to the Department of Justice.

The Deputy Attorney General is critical, moreover, in advancing equal justice in this country. For example, past deputy attorney generals, including Eric Holder and most recently Sally Yates, used their positions to take a lead in making our criminal justice system more fair and just. They worked closely with the Civil Rights Division and other officials to ensure vigorous enforcement of our nation’s most important civil rights laws. We are likewise confident Ms. Monaco will advance the cause of justice as deputy attorney general. Illustrative, Ms. Monaco spoke passionately after the horrific death of George Floyd and attacks on peaceful protestors; she opposed President Trump’s discriminatory Muslim Ban; and she has been a leader in speaking out and fighting domestic terrorism, including after the racial attacks in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Throughout her career, Ms. Monaco has served our justice system with distinction. Along with Merrick Garland, Vanita Gupta, and Kristen Clarke — and the scores of outstanding career lawyers, agents, and employees at the Justice Department — we are confident there will be a rejuvenated Department dedicated to the rule of law. The Senate should expeditiously confirm Ms. Monaco as Deputy Attorney General.

Sincerely,
Nan Aron
President