Top Biden DOJ Official in Hot Water After Arrest Comes to Light
Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Kristen Clarke faced scrutiny after news reports revealed discrepancies in her Senate confirmation process regarding an undisclosed arrest record for an alleged violent incident.
Clarke, who assumed her role in May 2021, came under fire as it emerged that she had not disclosed an arrest related to an altercation with her former husband during her confirmation hearings, prompting calls for her resignation.
The controversy surfaced when The Daily Signal reported earlier this week that Clarke had been arrested and accused of injuring her former husband with a knife, slicing his finger to the bone, during an incident at their Maryland home in 2006.
The report cited a text message exchange involving Clarke's former husband, Reginald Avery, who admitted to the altercation and subsequent arrest, attributing it to Clarke's anger over his infidelity.
Republican Senator Mike Lee and others called for Clarke's resignation, citing her failure to disclose the arrest during her confirmation process.
Kristen Clarke is in charge of enforcing civil rights laws.
— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) May 1, 2024
She enforces those laws aggressively against anyone who sneezes near an abortion clinic.
And not at all against those who vandalize churches.
She lied under oath during her confirmation proceedings, and should resign. https://t.co/5tHpaG4a2W
She lied under oath to mask her arrest for committing a violent crime, yet she zealously prosecutes peaceful pro-life protesters.
— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) May 1, 2024
Clarke responded to the reports, acknowledging that she had not been truthful about the arrest during her marriage. She revealed that she had been a victim of domestic violence and characterized the incident as part of a traumatic period in her life.
In a statement to CNN, Clarke stated, "Nearly 2 decades ago, I was subjected to years-long abuse and domestic violence at the hands of my ex-husband," explaining her decision not to disclose the arrest due to an expungement of her record.
Clarke defended her stance, stating, "When given the option to speak about such traumatic incidents in my life, I have chosen not to," asserting that she did not believe she was obligated to disclose a fully expunged matter from her past during her confirmation process.
During her confirmation hearings, Clarke had answered "No" to a question about whether she had been arrested or accused of committing a violent crime against any person since becoming a legal adult.
The controversy surrounding Clarke's undisclosed arrest record has fueled calls for transparency and accountability in high-profile appointments within the Department of Justice.