San Francisco —

Statement from Earthjustice President Trip Van Noppen:

“The U.S. Attorney General is sworn to enforce and uphold the laws of our nation — not just laws that protect our right to a healthy environment, but all laws that uphold our fundamental civil rights.

“Senator Sessions is an untenable choice for Attorney General. 

“His record on civil rights is reprehensible, especially on matters of racial justice and marriage equality. Former colleagues of Sessions testified under sworn testimony that he referred to civil rights groups like the NAACP as ‘un-American’.

“On the environment, he is on the record as a climate change skeptic, and given his stance on civil rights, it is clear that he is not a champion for environmental justice.

“His extreme view on climate is reflected by a hostile Congressional record against our bedrock environmental protections. He has opposed nearly every piece of climate change and environmental legislation since taking office in 1997.

“As an organization that fights in court for bedrock environmental protections for clean air, clean water, and healthy communities, we oppose the appointment of someone who has shown a complete disregard for these protections. And we are severely troubled about Senator Sessions being in a position to uphold our nation’s laws when his comments indicate his belief that the laws protect some groups and not others.

“Earthjustice strongly believes that President-elect Trump should retract this announcement or the Senate should reject this nomination.”