Among the many executive orders and memoranda signed by President Donald Trump in the early days of his second term was an order halting all civil rights litigation being pursued by the US Department of Justice. As a result, all ongoing cases are frozen, and no new litigation is expected by the DOJ for the foreseeable future. This means that people who face civil rights violations will need to seek justice through their own private lawsuits, rather than relying on the federal government to pursue justice for them.
DOJ Freezes Civil Rights Lawsuits
President Trump issued a memo effectively freezing all ongoing civil rights lawsuits being carried out by the Justice Department prior to him taking office. This not only prevents the DOJ from filing new lawsuits or making motions in existing lawsuits, it also prevents them from making or accepting settlement offers for alleged civil rights violations. As a result, these lawsuits have been left in limbo, and may be dismissed outright in the coming weeks or months.
Trump Directs Reversal of Biden-Era Civil Rights Policies
In addition to the extraordinary step of freezing all federal civil rights lawsuits, the Trump Administration has also sought to redirect the resources of the DOJ away from traditional lawsuits. Instead of going after defendants for alleged racial, religious, or gender-based discrimination, or prosecuting alleged hate crimes, the DOJ has been directed to prosecute officials in so-called “sanctuary cities” who do not cooperate with the Administration’s anti-immigration efforts. They have also sought to bring an end to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) efforts, which are meant to address issues of systemic inequality and discrimination.
Private Litigants Left to Pursue Their Own Justice
The overall result of these policy changes is that victims of civil rights violations can no longer rely on the federal government to enforce their rights on their behalf. Instead, they must seek private litigation in court, bringing their own lawsuits to ensure their rights are protected and perpetrators are punished. While it may not get quite the same results as a federal lawsuit from the DOJ, it can at least ensure victims receive compensation for the harm they have suffered.
What You Can Do
If you have been the victim of a civil rights violation, you should speak to a lawyer with experience handling these types of issues as soon as possible. They can help you review the facts of the case and ensure you get the best possible outcome for your situation. The sooner you call, the sooner they can get to work to ensure you get the compensation you rightly deserve.
Williams Cedar is a law firm dedicated to helping clients with personal injury, environmental law, and civil rights cases. We specialize in assisting clients who have been injured due to exposure to environmental toxins, including veterans and their loved ones. If you need legal assistance due to toxic exposure or other related matters, please give us a call at our New Jersey and Pennsylvania offices at (215) 557-0099, or visit our contact page.