Vanita Gupta Named Acting Civil Rights Chief

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a move that has sent shockwaves through the nation’s capital, Attorney General Eric Holder announced on Wednesday that Vanita Gupta will serve as Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General and Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division.

Gupta, a trailblazing civil rights lawyer, takes over the reins from Molly Moran, who will become Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General. Holder praised Gupta, saying she has ‘spent her entire career working to ensure that our nation lives up to its promise of equal justice for all.’

Gupta’s appointment comes as the Civil Rights Division faces unprecedented challenges, including the ongoing investigation into the shooting of Michael Brown by a Ferguson Missouri Police Officer. Moran, who has provided stability and leadership to the division during this high-profile period, will now serve as Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General.

Gupta’s impressive resume includes stints as Deputy Legal Director of the American Civil Liberties Union and Director of its Center for Justice. She has also taught civil rights litigation and advocacy clinics at New York University School of Law since 2008. Gupta’s work has focused on building bipartisan consensus to end overreliance on incarceration, and she has been involved in reform initiatives around the country pertaining to federal and state policing, sentencing, drug policy, and criminal law.

Gupta’s first case involved leading an effort to win the release of 35 defendants in Tulia, Texas, whose drug convictions and lengthy sentences were discredited by her work and that of a team of private bar attorneys. All of the defendants were eventually pardoned in 2003 by Governor Rick Perry, and she helped to negotiate a $6 million settlement for those arrested.

Gupta begins her new role on Monday, Oct. 20. Holder praised her ability to ‘bridge differences and build coalitions to drive progress,’ saying she will be a ‘sound steward’ of the Civil Rights Division.

Moran’s leadership and expertise will be missed, but Holder expressed his gratitude for her service, saying she has provided ‘stability and leadership’ to the division during a critical period. Moran will now serve as Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General in Acting Associate Attorney General Stuart F. Delery’s office.