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News May 02,2024 | Independence Journal Editorial Team

Lee Demands DOJ Official Resign For Lying About Domestic Violence Arrest

Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) is demanding the resignation of Department of Justice (DOJ) Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Kristen Clarke, as she lied to Congress about never being arrested for or accused of committing a violent crime.

Clarke was reportedly arrested nearly 20 years ago related to a violent domestic dispute between her and her ex-husband, though the arrest was expunged from her record.

During her confirmation hearings, Clarke was asked whether she had been arrested for a violent crime or accused of a violent crime in the past. She reportedly lied to Congress by responding “no” to these questions.

According to a report from The Daily Signal, Clarke was in fact arrested during the dispute, and her ex-husband accused her of slicing his finger to the bone during the incident.

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Lee demanded that Clarke resign from the DOJ over the lies — while also calling her out for using her position to prosecute “peaceful pro-life protesters” and ignore crimes committed by the left.

“Kristen Clarke is in charge of enforcing civil rights laws,” the Republican senator wrote. “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.”

“She lied under oath to mask her arrest for committing a violent crime, yet she zealously prosecutes peaceful pro-life protesters,” he added in a follow-up post.

Clarke has since issued a statement to CNN defending her decision to lie to Congress, claiming that she was justified in lying because she had been the victim of years-long domestic violence and her arrest has been expunged.

“Nearly 2 decades ago, I was subjected to years-long… domestic violence at the hands of my ex-husband,” the statement read. “This was a terrorizing and traumatizing period that I have sought to put behind me to promote my personal health, healing and well-being.”

She went on to note that the “physical and emotional scars” and the “exploitation” she faced “are things that no woman or mother should ever have to endure.”

Clarke added: “When given the option to speak about such traumatic incidents in my life, I have chosen not to. I didn’t believe during my confirmation process and I don’t believe now that I was obligated to share a fully expunged matter from my past.”

Lee later responded to Clarke’s statement by affirming that domestic violence is “never okay,” but reiterated that Clarke should face consequences for lying.

Clarke’s appointment to her position was vehemently opposed by conservative senators in 2021, with many questioning her history of speaking out against Americans’ constitutional rights. During her confirmation hearings, Clarke was repeatedly questioned about her previous comments against religious liberty.

In her latest appearance before Congress, Clarke left conservative lawmakers shocked as she stated that she had no knowledge about Missouri v. Biden, one of the most important free speech cases in recent American history.

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