Sessions Charging Order is Latest “Shameful” Act

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 12, 2017 – In response to new charging orders issued by Attorney General Jeff Sessions, instructing federal prosecutors to charge defendants with the most serious crimes and to pursue the maximum sentences allowable under law in virtually all cases, Alliance for Justice President Nan Aron issued the following statement:

“This misguided effort by the Attorney General, to bring back policies associated with the failed and draconian ‘war on drugs’ of decades ago, is just the latest shameful action by the Sessions Justice Department. So far, Jeff Sessions’ idea of ‘justice’ seems to be enabling the President to undermine the independence of the FBI; locking up low-level nonviolent drug offenders who pose little threat to society for as long as possible; making it more difficult for people of color to vote; breaking up immigrant families; defending a discriminatory travel ban; and turning a blind eye to unconstitutional policing. Throughout his career, Jeff Sessions has stood against civil rights – as we and others pointed out when he was nominated – and he is using his perch as Attorney General to erode critical legal protections and Constitutional values.”