Advocates Push For Resurrection Of DoJ Civil Rights Division Under Biden

Trump's first attorney general, Jeff Sessions, viewed state and local law enforcement as partners. He warned that federal investigations would demoralize police.

In one of his last acts in office, Sessions issued a memo removing a key tool from civil rights enforcers: His memo made it nearly impossible to use court-enforced consent decrees to help oversee police forces.

In the past, the Justice Department has used such agreements — for example, with the Seattle Police Department, which was found to have a pattern of excessive force — to bring about new practices.

Vanita Gupta, who ran the civil rights division in the Obama years, said she thinks the new Biden team should revoke that memo right away.

"That memo should be withdrawn day one of this new administration," said Gupta, who now serves as president of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.