CUBN JUSTICE (NEWSROOM)
In the era of misinformation and misrepresentation, some voices have been manipulated to believe that the Biden-Harris administration has not done anything for Black communities. Many will claim, “They’re not addressing police brutality!” But this narrative is far from reality. A look at the Department of Justice (DOJ) under the Biden administration reveals a stark difference in action compared to its predecessor under Donald Trump, particularly when it comes to civil rights enforcement. A recent investigation into Lexington, Mississippi’s police department demonstrates just how aggressively Biden’s DOJ is working to protect Black Americans from systematic racism and abuse.
Under the leadership of Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, Biden’s Civil Rights Division of the DOJ has been the most aggressive force for racial justice since the days of Robert Kennedy. One shocking example comes from their investigation of the Lexington, Mississippi Police Department, which has revealed an ugly pattern of abuse, excessive force, and discrimination against Black residents. In a town where nearly half the population is facing outstanding warrants based on unpaid fines, the police have been operating a “policing for profit” scheme, punishing Black citizens for their poverty while using arrest quotas to fund their department. One particularly horrifying case involved a man being tased until he foamed at the mouth for minor offenses like taking sugar packets from a gas station.
The DOJ’s findings show that under Biden, Black communities are seeing federal intervention like never before to root out local police corruption and discriminatory practices. The department uncovered numerous cases of Black citizens being jailed for minor infractions, disproportionately targeted for traffic stops, and brutalized by law enforcement. The department’s findings revealed that Black residents were arrested 98% of the time for traffic offenses, while their white counterparts were let off with warnings or citations for the same violations. This wasn’t just negligence; it was a deliberate strategy by the police to harass and profit off Black residents in a town where poverty and race collide.
Meanwhile, under Donald Trump, the story was much different. Trump’s DOJ, under Attorney Generals Jeff Sessions and Bill Barr, pulled back on police reform investigations, citing concerns about “police morale” over civil rights abuses. The Trump administration did everything in its power to weaken consent decrees and reduce federal oversight of police departments accused of misconduct. Trump even attempted to backtrack on critical reforms, like the federal consent decree in Baltimore following the killing of Freddie Gray. Sessions claimed that investigations into police practices were hurting the morale of officers, conveniently ignoring the devastation these same officers were inflicting on Black communities.
So, where does this leave Black voters who might be thinking about voting for Donald Trump? The reality is that a return to Trump’s brand of “law and order” would mean a complete abandonment of the progress being made in holding rogue police departments accountable. Trump has been vocal in his support for policies like stop-and-frisk, which disproportionately target Black and brown communities, and he’s vowed to give law enforcement 100% immunity from lawsuits stemming from civil rights abuses. Under Trump, Black communities would face a resurgence of the very tactics that Biden’s DOJ is fighting to dismantle—systematic harassment, unjust imprisonment, and financial exploitation.
Biden’s DOJ, led by civil rights champions like Kristen Clarke, has launched more than a dozen investigations into police departments across the country. They’re putting bad cops behind bars and prosecuting hate crimes like never before. Trump’s administration, on the other hand, actively worked to shield abusive officers from accountability and dismantled efforts to curb racial profiling.
In Lexington, Mississippi, and small towns like it across the country, Biden’s DOJ is standing up for Black Americans who have long been victims of police abuse and financial exploitation. They are sending a clear message: being poor is not a crime, and the police cannot continue to profit off Black poverty and injustice.
For those considering whether Trump might be a better option, it’s essential to look at the facts. Under Trump, law enforcement will be given a green light to violate civil rights with impunity, especially in Black communities. Meanwhile, Biden’s administration is using the power of the federal government to crack down on the very practices that Trump’s DOJ sought to protect.
As the 2024 election approaches, it’s critical that Black voters recognize this difference. Trump’s promises of “law and order” mean a return to the days of unchecked police brutality, racial profiling, and the criminalization of poverty. Biden’s DOJ, however, is fighting to ensure equal protection under the law for all Americans, regardless of race or income. As Kristen Clarke said during the announcement of the Lexington investigation, "No city, no town, no law enforcement agency is too large or too small to evade our efforts to safeguard the constitutional rights that every American enjoys."
Black men and women who are even thinking about voting for Donald Trump need to take a hard look at what’s at stake.
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