Loretta Lynch Sworn in as New Attorney General – What’s Next?

May 11, 2015

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Lynch also plans to use her past experience in the Eastern District of New York, which has prosecuted more terrorism-related cases than any other U.S. Attorney’s office, to continue the DOJ’s efforts to disrupt terrorist threats.  Lynch’s focus is not limited to prosecuting terrorists themselves.  During her tenure as a United States Attorney, Lynch used a number of tools, including significant monetary settlements, to punish those accused of financing terrorism.  In a settlement Lynch herself helped negotiate in 2012, HSBC agreed to pay $1.92 billion to settle allegations that, among other things, the bank facilitated the transfer of millions of dollars to terrorists overseas.  Calling the prevention of terrorism the DOJ’s “primary mission,” Lynch has vowed to “protect not just American citizens, but American values.” She has referred to the Constitution as her “lodestar,” and although Lynch believes the National Security Agency’s controversial surveillance program is constitutional, she has vowed to work with Congress to increase the transparency of government surveillance.

In addition to these substantial priorities, Lynch will also spearhead the DOJ’s existing strategic plan, which includes a number of additional objectives.  In the criminal context, the DOJ’s priorities include combatting violent crime and prosecuting violent offenders through the use of strategic partnerships, prosecuting illegal firearms traffickers, preventing criminal activity that targets vulnerable populations, upholding the rights of crime victims and improving services available to them, disrupting drug trafficking organizations, generally combatting the use of illegal drugs and protecting civil rights by preventing and prosecuting discriminatory practices.

Attorney General Lynch has set out an extensive agenda covering a wide spectrum of law enforcement priorities.  As the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, she backed up her tough talk on financial crime, cyber security and terrorism with action.  She has not been shy about expressing her intention to bring the same doggedness to the Office of the Attorney General.  

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