Latest news with #TennesseeAttorneyGeneral'sOffice
Axios
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Trump appoints Nashville-area attorney Whitney Hermandorfer to federal bench
President Trump nominated local attorney Whitney Hermandorfer to serve on the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. Why it matters: This is Trump's first judicial appointment of his new term. Her appointment was celebrated by Tennessee's top Republican elected officials. Zoom in: Hermandorfer serves as director of the strategic litigation unit for the Tennessee Attorney General's Office. She played basketball at Princeton, where she earned her undergrad, before earning her law degree at George Washington University. She earned prestigious clerkships for Supreme Court Justices Samuel Alito and Amy Coney Barrett. Before that, Hermandorfer graduated from Harpeth Hall. If confirmed, Hermandorfer would replace veteran appeals court Judge Jane Branstetter Stranch, who was appointed to the bench by former President Obama. What they're saying: Trump called Hermandorfer"a staunch defender of girl's and women's sports." Hermandorfer argued the lawsuit over federal sexual discrimination rules related to gender identity.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump announces Tennessee attorney as first judicial nomination of second term
President Donald Trump named a Tennessee woman as his first judicial nomination since returning to office for a second term. In a social media post late May 1, Trump announced Whitney Hermandorfer as his pick for the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. Hermandorfer currently serves as director of the strategic litigation unit in Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti's office. The sixth circuit covers Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee. The court sits in Cincinnati, Ohio. Hermandorfer, if confirmed, will replace Judge Jane Branstetter Stranch, appointed by former President Barack Obama, who last year said she planned to take senior status, a form of semi-retirement for judges. In her time with the Tennessee Attorney General's Office, Hermandorfer worked to defend the state's near-total abortion ban and challenged the ban on discrimination against transgender students. Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti posted about Hermandorfer's nomination on X, the site formerly known as Twitter, calling her leadership a high bar of excellence. "She has led not just teams of Tennessee attorneys but broad coalitions of states from across the country," Skrmetti wrote. "President Trump has selected a lawyer's lawyer for this important role. Whitney Hermandorfer's unwavering commitment to the rule of law, her exacting analytical rigor, and her unshakeable optimism will serve our country well. Hermandorfer, Skrmetti said, will have big shoes to fill. "Her service on the Sixth Circuit exemplifies the combination of intellect, integrity, and kindness I expect Whitney will herself bring to the Court," Skrmetti said of Stranch. "Both are proud Tennesseans and proud moms, and both are outstanding role models for young attorneys and aspiring judges." U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, added to the praise for Hermandorfer. "Throughout Whitney's esteemed career, she has demonstrated that she will be a fair-minded, principled jurist who will apply our nation's laws as they are written and protect the constitutional rights of all Americans," Blackburn said. "The President could not have selected a better individual to be his first judicial nomination this term, and I look forward to swiftly advancing Whitney's nomination through the Senate Judiciary Committee and onto the Senate floor to get her confirmed.' Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman applauded Hermandorfer's nomination. 'Whitney was one of the brilliant advocates behind our lawsuit to protect women's sports, and her ability to see around legal corners led to key victories all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court," Coleman said. 'While I know our colleague, Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti, will be sorry to lose Whitney's talent, Kentucky is eager to have her join our circuit bench. I'm proud to congratulate Whitney and her family, and we encourage the U.S. Senate to confirm her nomination.' This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: President Trump nominates Tennessee attorney as federal judge
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tennessee legislature puts state watchdog agency under attorney general
Responsibility for investigation claims of discrimination, including from state agencies, will become the responsibility of Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti after the legislature dissolved the Tennessee Human Rights Commission. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout) The Tennessee Attorney General's Office could soon have the responsibility for investigating claims of discrimination by state agencies after the state Senate passed a measure dissolving the Human Rights Commission and moving operations to the AG's office. Senate Bill 861, sponsored by Huntingdon Republican Sen. John Stevens, passed Monday 27-6 on partisan lines. The House version, sponsored by Goodletsville Republican Rep. Johnny Garrett, passed Thursday. The bill would go next to the governor's desk for his signature. The 60-year-old commission is a nonpartisan and independent agency responsible for enforcing civil rights laws in employment, housing and public accommodation as well as discrimination claims against the state of Tennessee. Bill to give Tennessee AG civil rights oversight draws Democratic pushback over partisanship The measure has drawn criticism from Democrats who say handing discrimination claims to Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti sets up a 'fox in the henhouse' scenario. After Stevens referred to Skrmetti's office as 'the most nonpartisan' of Tennessee's three branches of government, Sen. Raumesh Akbari, a Memphis Democrat, disagreed. 'I'm not going to make it personal, but if you've never been discriminated against . . . it makes a difference who is investigating,' Akbari said. 'I would urge you to google the last few suits the attorney general has filed and I assure you their actions do not look nonpartisan.' Skrmetti has led or joined lawsuits that include a challenge to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's rule prohibiting discrimination against women seeking abortions, litigation seeking to stop transgender medical care for minors and sent letters to corporations warning them against diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, among other actions. Tennessee Attorney General's Office to election finance office: We're 'not an investigative agency' Stevens said his review of the commission showed that thousands of claims have 'languished' and not been investigated. Democrats objected to that characterization. 'HRC testified to the fact they have several vacancies on their commission and it's because the House Speaker has refused the fill the vacancies since 2022,' said Sen. Charlane Oliver, a Nashville Democrat. 'We have crippled the ability of the HRC to do their job,' she said. 'That may be the reason they can't respond to complaints.' Sen. Kerry Roberts, a Springfield Republican, described the commission as 'enormously ineffective' before calling for a vote. Under the measure, the commission will be dissolved by July 1 and its 30 staff positions will move to the attorney general's office. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Our bills would assure civil rights protections for all Tennesseans
The Volunteer State has a proud tradition of demonstrating leadership in the quest to protect civil liberties and ensure equal access for all. Our efforts have resonated nationwide. It was 105 years ago when the Tennessee General Assembly provided the 36th and final vote needed to ratify the 19th Amendment, giving millions of women the right to vote. Tennessee was the epicenter of student-led nonviolent sit-ins in the 1960s, where brave Black Americans risked their safety to desegregate lunch counters. In more recent years, Tennessee has expanded access to higher education for all by becoming the first state in the nation to offer free community college to high school graduates and returning adults. We've stood firm on religious liberties, protecting the rights of churches and faith-based organizations to operate according to their beliefs. And at a time when voting rights are under attack in other states, Tennessee leads the nation with its commitment to election integrity and ability to balance greater access with accountability. The list goes on, but what makes Tennessee truly remarkable is our ongoing commitment to shaping a future where everyone has the opportunity to prosper and exercise their rights. As the sponsors of Senate Bill 861/House Bill 910, our goal is straightforward: to ensure all Tennesseans have access to efficient, effective protection against discrimination. The bill simply transfers the enforcement of the Tennessee Human Rights Act (THRA) to the Tennessee Attorney General's Office, a structural change that will better serve citizens experiencing discrimination. We condemn discrimination in all forms. That is why we have ensured our legislation preserves every substantive protection of the THRA. While maintaining current protections, the bill expands these safeguards by adding discrimination in education as a prohibited practice and establishes a civil penalty for malicious harassment. Every Tennessean deserves robust protection from discrimination, and our commitment to this principle remains unwavering. This bill increases government efficiency by streamlining the complaint and enforcement process, directly connecting those who experience discrimination with the state's chief legal office, who can forcefully advocate on their behalf. If a citizen is unhappy with how their case is being handled, their individual right to sue is preserved. We strive to strengthen the enforcement of our civil rights laws while making the process more accessible and effective for all Tennesseans. Our message is clear: If you violate civil rights in Tennessee, you will be held accountable. The Tennessee Attorney General's Office has the capability and experience to enforce the THRA effectively. Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti has a notable background in civil rights enforcement. During his tenure at the U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division and as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Memphis's Civil Rights Unit, he prosecuted significant civil rights cases, including racially motivated violence and religiously targeted hate crimes. His work prosecuting the leaders of the Aryan Alliance for the firebombing of a Tennessee mosque, along with his role in securing justice for a law enforcement officer murdered in a racially motivated attack, highlights his unwavering commitment to protecting the civil rights of Tennesseans. This dedication earned Skrmetti the Attorney General's Award for Distinguished Service – one of the Department of Justice's highest honors – and other awards, including the Civil Rights Division's first-ever Victim Rights Award. As attorney general, he has been active and aggressive in protecting Tennesseans. His office has taken on some of the most powerful opponents in the country, including BlackRock, Google, and even the federal government – and won. We are confident he will be equally active and aggressive in protecting Tennesseans from illegal discrimination. The protection of civil rights transcends political differences. All Tennesseans deserve equal protection under the law and a system that resolves discrimination claims efficiently and effectively. House Bill 910/Senate Bill 861 represents a thoughtful progression in how our state upholds these fundamental rights. Ultimately, this legislation is about deterring discrimination and expediting justice for Tennesseans when it happens. By entrusting enforcement to the Attorney General's Office, with its established legal expertise and resources, we will continue our legacy of civil rights leadership and provide Tennesseans with more timely, effective protection against discrimination. John Stevens is an attorney from Huntingdon. He represents District 24 of the Tennessee State Senate, which includes Benton, Carroll, Gibson, Henry, Houston, Obion, Stewart, and Weakley counties. Johnny Garrett is an attorney from Goodlettsville. He represents District 45 of the Tennessee House of Representatives, which includes part of Sumner County. This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Our bills boost civil rights protections for all Tennesseans | Opinion
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tennessee's death penalty is back
Tennessee is set to resume the executions of people on death row, even as more Tennesseans express opposition to it. (Photo by) Quietly, on Dec. 27, 2024, the Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) completed a multi-year lethal injection protocol review ordered by Gov. Bill Lee in 2022. The completed review marked the end of a pause Lee had placed on executions. The ink was barely dry on TDOC's report when, on Feb. 14, the Tennessee Attorney General's Office asked the state Supreme Court to set execution dates for five of the 46 people currently on death row. This all comes at a time when Gallup reports Americans' support for capital punishment is at a five-decade low, a drop in support that's evident even in red states. According to a 2022 Vanderbilt poll, a majority of Tennesseans now oppose the death penalty. Tennessee's history regarding capital punishment is surprisingly progressive, and with no executions in five years, there's no reason the 2020 execution of Nicholas Sutton shouldn't be Tennessee's last. Moments when Tennessee went against the grain regarding capital punishment include: Tennessee became the first state in the nation to turn away from the traditional and mandatory death sentence for convicted murderers in 1838. Tennessee was the only former Confederate state to abolish execution in the late 1800s. The state legislature formally ended capital punishment in 1915, reinstating it in 1919. Tennessee had one of the longest pauses on executions in the nation, with no executions committed between 1960 and 2000. In 1965, Gov. Frank Clement commuted the sentences of everyone on Tennessee's death row after a bill to abolish capital punishment was defeated by just one vote. Tennessee became one of the first of four states to exclude the death penalty for those with intellectual disabilities in 1990. Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, multiple moratoriums were placed on capital punishment while the state reviewed its execution protocols. Why examine the history? Because it's not a foregone conclusion that just because Tennessee is a red state, its residents must sit idly by and condone state-sanctioned murder Could I put an amendment on that bill (regarding methods of execution) that would include hanging by a tree? – Rep. Paul Sherrell, R-Sparta, Feb. 28, 2023 Th death penalty is uncivilized in theory and unfair in practice. It must be opposed because: It can result in the deaths of innocent people. The U.S. criminal justice system is deeply flawed and often makes mistakes. Since 1973, at least 200 people who were on death row were later exonerated. For every eight people executed in the U.S., one person sentenced to death is exonerated, meaning the system is only right 88% of the time. It's impossible to know how many innocent Americans have been executed before they could be exonerated, because courts don't entertain claims of innocence for dead people. But civil rights groups have gathered troves of evidence showing dozens of executed prisoners were innocent. It is not an effective deterrent. The death penalty is often used as a political tool to create the illusion of being 'tough on crime' while doing nothing to address the underlying social and economic factors that lead to crime. The states with the highest murder rates all practice capital punishment. Meanwhile, Canada's murder rate is half what it was when our neighbors to the north abolished their death penalty in 1976. It is applied unfairly. The death penalty is disproportionately imposed upon those whose victims are white, on offenders who are people of color, and on people who are poor and uneducated. In Tennessee, only 40% of homicides involve white victims, yet 74% of all death sentences are for those convicted of killing white people. It is a blatant violation of one's Constitutional rights. The death penalty constitutes cruel and unusual punishment, a violation of the Eighth Amendment. According to the ACLU, 'It is cruel because it is a relic of the earliest days of penology, when slavery, branding, and other corporal punishments were commonplace. Like those barbaric practices, executions have no place in a civilized society. It is unusual because only the United States of all the western industrialized nations engages in this punishment.' Though the death penalty feels as well-entrenched as ever and though Tennessee may soon return to executing prisoners, the practice is hanging on by a thread. In Tennessee and other red states, the only group still supporting capital punishment are conservatives. Why are many conservatives quick to call out inefficiencies and errors in government, yet they're willing to back the government to the hilt when it comes to the life-or-death decision to carry out an execution? Many conservatives say the government is untrustworthy and makes mistakes all the time, but not on matters of capital punishment? Granting the government — which can and does make mistakes — the right to kill Americans means handing it immense power with little oversight, something conservatives are typically loath to do. With that in mind, one does not even need to engage in questions about the morality of delivering death as punishment for a crime because the answer to the previous question — can the government be trusted to administer death as punishment? — is no. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
