"Meaningful change is never easy. The task of realizing the promise of our country has always been hard. And here in Chicago, thanks to the determination and commitment of countless public officials, police officers, advocates and citizens, we have taken the first step towards a brighter future. The people of this city have recognized that there is work to be done. And they have committed themselves to seeing that work through to the end. The Department of Justice will stand ...beside you along the way – and I am confident that when we are finished, Chicago will be a stronger, a safer, and a more united city for all who call it home."

“Volkswagen’s attempts to dodge emissions standards and import falsely certified vehicles into the country represent an egregious violation of our nation’s environmental, consumer protection and financial laws. These actions reflect the Justice Department’s steadfast commitment to defending consumers, protecting our environment and our financial system and holding individuals and companies accountable for corporate wrongdoing. In the days ahead, we will continue to examine Vo...lkswagen’s attempts to mislead consumers and deceive the government. And we will continue to pursue the individuals responsible for orchestrating this damaging conspiracy.”

“We may speak different languages; we may read from different books of scripture; we may call our God by different names. But we all love this country and the ideals for which it stands,” Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch said today during remarks at an interfaith event at the All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) Center on the Justice Department’s Commitment to Combatting Hate Crimes.

“[T]he Department of Justice – and the entire Obama Administration – regards hate crimes... with the utmost seriousness, whether they target individuals because of their race, their religion, their gender, or their sexual orientation. And that is why we have worked tirelessly over the last several years to bring those who perpetrate these heinous deeds to justice,” Attorney General Lynch said. “Our federal hate crimes laws are among the most powerful tools we have for creating a more just and equal nation & career Justice Department prosecutors will continue to enforce them.”

Yesterday, Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Bill Baer delivered remarks at the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services’ Risk Management Forum. This blog, “Risk Management and 21st Century Policing: Protecting Communities and their Financial Integrity,” is based on the remarks he delivered.

“We all know the great responsibilities borne by our nation’s police officers: they stand on the front lines of some of the most difficult battles in our communities; the...y see danger and run towards it; and they make split-second decisions with long-lasting consequences. In 2014, President Obama took the initiative to create the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing to help identify best practices and to offer recommendations on how policing practices can promote effective crime reduction while building public trust.”

Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch today released the following statement regarding the decision by the Department of the Army in the Dakota Access Pipeline matter:

“In light of today's decision by the Department of the Army regarding the Dakota Access Pipeline, the Department of Justice will continue to monitor the situation in North Dakota in the days ahead and we stand ready to provide resources to help all those who can play a constructive role in easing tensions.

“The dep...artment remains committed to supporting local law enforcement, defending protestors’ constitutional right to free speech and fostering thoughtful dialogue on the matter. We recognize the strong feelings that exist in connection with this issue, but it is imperative that all parties express their views peacefully and join us in support of a deliberate and reasonable process for de-escalation and healing.