Leader Schumer Floor Remarks On Donald Trump Weaponizing The Justice Department To Go After The Southern Poverty Law Center

Washington, D.C. - Today, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) spoke on the Senate floor on Donald Trump's weaponization of the Justice Department with its lawsuit against the Southern Poverty Law Center, another example of the President's attacks on civil liberties, free expression and the rule of law. Below are Senator Schumer's remarks, which can also be viewed here:

I just want to say a quick word about the deeply disturbing charges the Justice Department has brought against the Southern Poverty Law Center. These charges should send a chill down the spine of every American who cares about free expression, and the rule of law at the Justice Department. It should send a chill down the spine of every American who cares about civil liberties, and the fight against violent extremism.

Let's be clear about what this case is really about. It has nothing to do with alleged wire fraud or with the Southern Poverty Law Center somehow working in coordination with the KKK. That is ridiculous on its face. It doesn't pass the laugh test.

It's about Donald Trump turning the Department of Justice into the Department of Vengeance - his own attack dog. He's done it time and time and time again. And when you think it can't get worse, it does. To attack the Southern Poverty Law Center and accuse it of collaboration with their known enemy, the KKK?

Weaponizing the DOJ to indict civil rights groups is not "law and order"-it's a message: if you defend voting rights, if you fight white supremacy, you're next. Donald Trump will use the federal government to go after any group that dares to speak out against him.

This is amazing: in 1983, the Ku Klux Klan tried to burn down the Southern Poverty Law Center for daring to expose its hatred. More than four decades later, the Trump administration is trying to do the same thing in a courtroom. It's an absolute disgrace. How far this administration goes down, turning what America is all about inside out.

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