Justice Department Settles with Montgomery County, Maryland, After School Program to Ensure Compliance with the ADA

Thank you, Heidi, for that kind introduction and for your leadership at NHTSA.  Thank you for your seven years of service as a volunteer EMT.  You’ve seen the tragic results of unsafe driving firsthand and you know what is at stake on this issue.

Thank you, Jesse, for that kind introduction and for your strong leadership. On this Constitution Day, let us take a moment to ponder the enormity of the revolution that the Founding Fathers enshrined in the First Amendment of the Constitution. At the time of the Founding, no country on earth guaranteed in writing the freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, or petition. At the time of the Founding, no country on earth was governed by a free and equal people. And at the time of the Founding, no government on earth derived its just powers from the consent of the governed.

An illegal alien and MS-13 gang member from El Salvador was convicted today by a federal jury of using physical force to tamper with a witness; being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm; illegally re-entering the United States after previously being deported; multiple counts of cocaine distribution; and multiple counts of other firearms violations, announced Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division and U.S. Attorney Don Cochran of the Middle District of Tennessee.

Many thanks to all of you have joined us today, and to CSPAN for broadcasting this forum so that Americans at home can watch as we discuss free speech in higher education. 

Thank you, John for that generous introduction and thank you for your leadership over the Civil Rights Division. Thank you also to Jesse for his remarks and all of our panelists—especially the fabulous Heather Mac Donald, who I think provides some of the best insight on criminal justice issues in America today. And Nadine Strossen, the always principled and challenging former president of the ACLU, our keynote speaker.

Pablo Duran Ramirez, 50, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Cleveland, Ohio, to encouraging the illegal entry of Guatemalan nationals, including unaccompanied minors, into the United States for financial gain, announced Acting Assistant Attorney General John Gore of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Justin E. Herdman of the Northern District of Ohio, and Special Agent in Charge Stephen D. Anthony of the FBI’s Cleveland Division. Duran Ramirez is the fourth defendant to plead guilty in connection with a labor trafficking scheme that forced Guatemalan minors to work at egg farms in central Ohio.

“Toxic pesticides can have devastating human health consequences, and that’s why those who are certified to apply them must do so responsibly and lawfully,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey H. Wood for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division.  “The facts in this case show that the defendant, despite his training and experience, knowingly applied the pesticide methyl bromide in an illegal and unsafe manner, which tragically exposed a family of four to profoundly debilitating injuries.”

Good afternoon. Thank you for joining us on Constitution Day to discuss a topic central to the rule of law in America. I want to say a special thanks to Jesse Panuccio, our Acting Associate Attorney General, and the team that created a superb agenda and invited so many thoughtful speakers.