US Attorney General Jeff Sessions has a new focus for the upcoming months, according to a report by CNN. He wants to tackle "hate crimes" head-on.
President Trump signed three executive orders in February, one of which required Sessions to create a Task Force aimed at reducing crime and promoting public safety. Sessions updated US Attorney offices in a letter on Wednesday with news that he had introduced a "Hate Crimes Subcommittee" that would deal specifically with preventing crimes based on prejudice.
The new committee would work to "develop a plan to appropriately address hate crimes," in order to "protect the rights of all Americans."
The task force hopes to cut down on crimes committed against certain ethnicities
This designated task force comes at an opportune time, as reports indicate that there was a whopping 67% increase in crimes against Muslim-Americans alone in 2016. Obscenities against African-Americans and those of Jewish descent increased as well.
Ironically, Sessions was staunchly opposed to former President Obama's proposed Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act, though he was just a senator at the time of its ratification. Eight years ago, in giving his opinion about the act and its implications, Sessions claimed that it was "unwarranted" and "possibly unconstitutional." He even went so far as to suggest that the act "cheapened the civil rights movement." Now, as Trump's newly appointed attorney general, he's singing a slightly different tune.
In commenting on the bill at his confirmation earlier this year, Sessions looked to avoid controversy or bias, stating only that "Congress has spoken, you can be sure that I will enforce it."
Task force to also crack down on marijuana regulations
The Task Force on Crime Reduction and Public Safety, which has been in operation for just over a month now, also plans to review the current marijuana enforcement policy, according to CNN.
The review will focus specifically on current charging and sentencing guidelines in place to punish offenders, with hopes of accurately assessing just how effective they are.
Proponents of marijuana legalization are wary of Sessions
Reports state that while marijuana has been and remains illegal under federal law, the Obama-led justice department discouraged prosecutors from being overzealous when it came to going after offenders.
However, with Trump as the new leader and Sessions at the helm, sources say those that have advocated for the drug's legalization are now very uneasy. Sessions has not been shy about showing his disdain for all drugs and mind-altering substances, but reports claim he seems to have a particular issue with marijuana. In fact, in an interview just last month, Sessions was quoted as saying he "rejects the idea that America will be a better place if marijuana is sold in every corner store." It's statements like these that add to speculation that the Alabama lawman will do everything in his power to make regulations surrounding the drug tighter, and punishments for abusing it stiffer.
