Executive Branch Nominations
The President's ability to nominate candidates to fill important executive branch positions is another opportunity to maximize the government's ability to protect every American under existing law. New management of the entire executive branch, including the agencies that perform functions-such as protecting people from violence; providing health education and research funding; and ensuring benefits for families-is crucial to the wellbeing of LGBT people. Here are some of the nominees for positions that most directly impact the LGBT community:
Pending Nominations:
Tom Perez
Nominee for Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights
Tom Perez has an understanding of the traditions and operations of the Division, a commitment to enforcing civil rights laws, and the vision of a leader to restore the functions of the Civil Rights Division. To read the coalition letter of support for Tom Perez, click here.
Dawn Johnsen
Nominee for Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) at the Department of Justice
Dawn Johnsen served as deputy assistant attorney general at the Office of Legal Counsel from 1993 to 1996 and was named Acting Assistant Attorney General from 1997 to 1998. To read the coalition letter of support for Dawn Johnsen, click here.
Confirmed:
Eric Holder
Attorney General of the United States, Confirmed February 2, 2009
Eric Holder has proven himself to be the right person to lead the Department of Justice as the nation's next Attorney General. He has over two decades of public service to this country and his qualifications are beyond dispute. Holder has served as United States Attorney for the District of Columbia, as an Associate Judge on the D.C. Superior Court and as Deputy Attorney General for the Department of Justice.
- To read HRC's letter of support, click here. [Link to HRC's letter of support]
- To read about the importance of the Department of Justice to the LGBT community, click here.
David Ogden
Deputy Attorney General of the United States, Confirmed March 12, 2009
From 1995-1999, David Ogden worked at the Department of Justice as Associate Deputy Attorney General and Counselor and Chief of Staff to the Attorney General. He led the Department's hate crime initiative, resulting in enactment of a federal hate crimes sentencing enhancement provision (28 U.S.C. 994 note). To read the coalition letter of support for David Ogden, click here.
John Berry
Office of Personnel Management Administrator, Confirmed April 3, 2009
John Berry's nomination was historic because he is now the highest-ranking openly-gay federal official in history.