Outgoing Biden DOJ Sues Red County For Not Electing Enough Black Politicians

The Department of Justice (DOJ) sued a conservative Tennessee county Wednesday over claims that it does not have enough black county commissioners just five days before President Joe Biden’s term ends.

The DOJ’s lawsuit claims Fayette County’s 2021 redistricting plan weakens black residents’ representation and denies them the “equal opportunity” to “elect their candidates of choice” to the Board of County Commissioners. The case is the latest measure in a series last-ditch efforts by the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division to target local GOP-led government bodies for alleged racial discrimination.

The allegations come one week after the Civil Rights Division sued the GOP-led Hazleton, Pennsylvania City Council because it lacked what the DOJ called “Hispanic-preferred candidates.” Both suits cite Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which bans restricting voting based on race.

Most of Fayette County’s commissioners are Republican, according to a review of election records. The county voted for President-elect Donald Trump, who returns to office Monday, by 67% in 2016, 68% in 2020 and 70% in 2024