DNC Chair Tom Perez released the following statement:

“This memorandum is a disgrace to the rule of law and a disservice to both police departments and the communities they serve. Under my leadership of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, we opened 15 policing investigations and reached 10 agreements for comprehensive reform of police departments, including seven consent decrees. Session’s memorandum guts the Justice Department’s ability to hold law enforcement accountable for abusive practices by overseeing long-term reforms.

“Democrats believe that police departments must be held accountable to their communities and build relationships of trust with their communities. Because the best currency you have as a police officer is the trust of your whole community – not just those with lighter skin or deeper pockets. This memorandum politicizes and undermines the process while limiting opportunities to build trust and accountability in our neighborhoods.”