Fmr. Atty General Gonzalez Defends Holder’s Role in Ferguson Case
Former Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez called the Department of Justice “correct” for raising the issue of “systemwide” civil rights violations by the Ferguson police force, and defended Holder’s role in Ferguson on State of the Union Sunday morning.
“He received some criticism from the fact that he went there, perhaps raised expectations about civil rights prosecution,” Gonzalez said, noting “the feds were invited into that community after the shooting of Michael Brown occurred.”
Holder visited the riven community after a grand jury declined to indict officer Darren Wilson of shooting unarmed teenager Michael Brown. Last week the Department of Justice released a scathing report on the discriminatory methods of the city’s police force, but did not charge Wilson for civil rights violations. Some criticized Holder for politicizing the case with his presence and for using the Department of Justice as a political tool.
“General Holder’s presence there sent a soothing message to very raw feelings in that community,” Gonzalez said. “I don’t fault him for that.”
“The only concern I might have is, again, acknowledgment that all around the country every day police officers put their lives on the line, irrespective of the color of the victim or the person that might be involved in committing of a crime,” he said. “We need to acknowledge the fine work that is ongoing, but also understand more work needs to be done.”
Watch le clip below, via CNN:
[Image via screengrab]
Comments
↓ Scroll down for comments ↓