FIRST ON FOX: The newly confirmed head of the Department of Justice’s Civil Division sent out a memo hours after being sworn in on Wednesday in which he directed staff to focus on a slate of conservative priorities, including rooting out antisemitism and diversity, equity and inclusion.
Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate’s internal memo, first obtained by Fox News Digital, also directed attorneys in the DOJ's largest division to prioritize investigations and legal action that involved tightening restrictions on transgender medical care and denaturalizing citizens who "illegally procured" naturalization.
In addition to initiating lawsuits, the Civil Division is primarily tasked with defending the government in court in non-criminal matters, which includes the hundreds of lawsuits President Donald Trump and his administration have been hit with as Trump carries out executive actions that test the limits of presidential authority.
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Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Civil Division Brett A. Shumate speaks during the investiture ceremony for U.S. District Judge Trevor N. McFadden April 13, 2018, at the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)
Civil Division attorneys from the Federal Programs Bench have been fighting court battles on behalf of Trump related to his sweeping tariffs, birthright citizenship, activities by the Department of Government Efficiency, and, most recently, his use of the National Guard in California.
Shumate was confirmed by the Senate on Monday along party lines. The Civil Division head was seen during the confirmation as a Trump loyalist who previously worked as a partner at Jones Day, a Washington-based firm that has represented Trump during his campaigns. Shumate was a top official in the Civil Division for two years during the first Trump administration.
Shumate's memo suggests he kicked off his first day in office by setting a tone for his wealth of attorneys that aligned with President Donald Trump's and Attorney General Pam Bondi's agendas.
A U.S. Justice Department logo or seal showing Justice Department headquarters, known as "Main Justice," is seen behind the podium in the Department's headquarters briefing room before a news conference with the Attorney General in Washington, January 24, 2023. (REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo)
In an unusual move, the division will coordinate with the Civil Rights Division on its anti-DEI efforts. Trump has frequently described DEI as discriminatory.
"Consistent with these directives, the Civil Division will use all available resources to pursue affirmative litigation combatting unlawful discriminatory practices in the private sector," Shumate wrote.
This is a developing story. Check back for details.