In a significant turnaround, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has instructed the Department of Justice to withdraw from a controversial lawsuit alleging racial voter suppression in Georgia.
The Daily Caller reported that the Department of Justice has relinquished its claims from a 2021 lawsuit that accused Georgia of discriminating against Black voters through its Senate Bill 202.
Initiated under the Biden administration, the lawsuit targeted Georgia Senate Bill 202, claiming that various aspects of the law, such as mandatory photo ID requirements and changes to absentee ballot rules, would disproportionately suppress Black voter turnout. These measures were introduced by the state to streamline voting processes and ensure the integrity of elections.
Attorney General Pam Bondi, advocating for the dismissal of the lawsuit, pointed out that contrary to the suppression claims, Black voter turnout had increased since the bill's implementation. This increase was cited as evidence that the lawsuit's basis was flawed and politically motivated.
On Monday, the DOJ official announcement came through a press release where Attorney General Bondi emphasized the importance of secure elections free from baseless accusations. The move highlights a stark contrast in opinions between the current and former DOJ administrations concerning Georgia's voting laws.
Acting associate attorney general and DOJ chief of staff, Chad Mizelle, vocalized his disdain for the previous claims by stating, "The Department of Justice is done with this disgrace." He criticized the former allegations as an insult to the efforts aimed at protecting election integrity.
Mizelle further remarked, "There is nothing racist about protecting elections — baseless claims of Jim Crow-style discrimination are the real insult."
This statement reflects a broader critique from the current DOJ leadership towards what they perceive as the politicization of voter rights issues under the previous administration.
Bondi's argument for the withdrawal was strengthened by statistical evidence indicating that Black voter turnout increased following the implementation of Senate Bill 202. This data undermines the foundational claims of the lawsuit that suggested the law would suppress Black voter engagement.
"Contrary to the Biden Administration's false claims of suppression, Black voter turnout increased under SB 202," declared Pam Bondi during the announcement. This emphasis on increased voter engagement serves as a critical defense against accusations of intentional voter suppression.
The decision to withdraw from the lawsuit does not signify an end to the DOJ's commitment to election integrity. Bondi reassured the public that the Department of Justice remains dedicated to ensuring that every eligible voter can exercise their right to vote without obstruction.
During the unveiling of the voting policy changes, former Attorney General Merrick B. Garland emphasized the centrality of voting rights.
"The right of all eligible citizens to vote is the central pillar of our democracy, the right from which all other rights ultimately flow," Garland remarked, highlighting the DOJ's traditional stance on voter rights.
The DOJ under President Trump had criticized the Biden administration's approach, labeling it misleading and coined the term "Jim Crow 2.0" to describe the negative portrayal of Georgia's voting reforms. This criticism was echoed by Bondi and her team, who argue that the reforms actually bolster voter engagement and security.
As this chapter in Georgia's voting law narrative closes, the actions taken by the DOJ under Bondi's guidance signal a shift towards depoliticizing the conversation around electoral integrity, focusing instead on data-driven assessments and maintaining the sanctity of the electoral process.