Washington, D.C. — Attorney General Jeff Sessions has sent a federal lawyer to the state of Iowa to assist in the prosecution of the murder of a transgender high school student as a hate crime. This action, marking the first time a Republican presidential administration has assisted in pursuing anti-LGBT hate crime charges, was hailed by The New York Times as a sign that Mr. Sessions has “made a priority of fighting violence against transgender people.”

“Despite the protestations of liberal groups dubious of Mr. Sessions’ commitment to federal hate crimes statutes, the Attorney General has proven himself to be a man of his word, dedicated to enforcing the laws of the land — including anti-LGBT hate crimes legislation,” Log Cabin Republicans President Gregory T. Angelo stated. “As an organization that long campaigned for and welcomed passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act in 2009, Log Cabin Republicans commends the Justice Department for understanding the crisis of violence against transgender Americans and their responsibility to hold perpetrators of anti-LGBT animus accountable. It is our hope that this historic effort — the first by a Republican presidential administration — not only affects justice for Kedarie Johnson, but puts would-be attackers on notice: assaults on individuals because of sexual orientation or gender identity have no place in American society.”