Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke has acknowledged that she was arrested in 2006 and chose not to disclose this information during her Senate confirmation process. The arrest, which was related to a domestic violence complaint, had been expunged from her record. Clarke, who currently heads the Justice Department’s civil rights division, was questioned by Senator Tom Cotton during her confirmation process about any past arrests for or accusations of committing a violent crime against another person. She responded with a “No.”
According to court documents, Clarke’s ex-husband, Reginald Avery, and text messages exchanged between Avery and the head of the conservative nonprofit group American Accountability Foundation, Clarke was arrested in Maryland after allegedly attacking Avery with a knife. Avery claimed that his finger was severely injured during the incident. However, the charges against Clarke were later dropped, and she subsequently filed paperwork to have the arrest expunged from her record.
In response to the recent revelations, Clarke released a statement to CNN, explaining that she had endured years of abuse and domestic violence at the hands of her ex-husband. She described the period as terrorizing and traumatizing, and emphasized her efforts to move forward and prioritize her personal health, healing, and well-being. Clarke asserted that since the arrest had been expunged, she was not obligated to disclose it to lawmakers.
Senator Mike Lee has called for Clarke’s resignation, arguing that she should have disclosed her arrest during the confirmation process. Lee criticized Clarke’s enforcement of civil rights laws, accusing her of being aggressive towards those near abortion clinics while neglecting to take action against individuals who vandalize churches. However, Clarke has shown no intention of stepping down from her role at the Department of Justice.
Clarke stated that she will continue to prioritize the experiences and needs of crime victims in her work as a lifelong public servant. Despite the controversy surrounding her past arrest and non-disclosure, she remains committed to carrying out her duties.
1 Response
I find it concerning that Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke chose not to disclose her arrest during her Senate confirmation process. It raises questions about transparency and honesty, which are crucial qualities for someone in such a high-ranking position. I would be interested to hear the author’s thoughts on this matter. Do they believe this omission undermines Clarke’s credibility and trustworthiness? How do they think it reflects on her ability to fulfill her duties as Assistant Attorney General?