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Thomas Perez Should Be Blocked

By on 3.12.13 @ 6:10AM

Panther-case scofflaw merits no cabinet post.

If President Obama thinks he can get away with appointing an obvious prevaricator to be Secretary of Labor – and a radical, race-baiting one at that – he has lost all touch with reality. Even a group as confused and fractious as the caucus of Senate Republicans is sure to find the collective backbone to block the (expected) appointment of Thomas Perez.

As I described in detail last August, Perez is one of the most loathsome figures in the thoroughly loathsome political ranks of Obama’s Justice Department.

He has led the administration’s racial scaremongering against voter ID laws, but got smacked down hard by the U.S. District Court for the D.C. Circuit, so that elections in South Carolina this week will go ahead with the law in effect. (This wasn’t a partisan decision: The unanimous three-judge panel included Clinton appointee Colleen Kollar-Kotelly.)

Indeed, Perez doesn’t even seem to be a very good lawyer at all: His positions also have been rebuked by courts in Arkansas (about the Civil Rights for Institutionalized Persons Act), again in the D.C. District Court, in New York on an education case (U.S. v. Brennan), in a Florida abortion case where Perez’ team was abusively prosecuting peaceful protesters, and most particularly in a major Perez loss in Florida when trying to force the state not to remove non-citizens from its voter rolls.

Perez has overseen most of the unprecedentedly naked politicization of DoJ’s Civil Rights Division, as detailed in an exhaustive series of reports at PJ Media. In short, of 113 “career” (meaning supposedly apolitical) civil-service hires for the Civil Rights Division under Obama and (mostly) Perez, every one of those 113 were demonstrably liberal activists. (The New York Times effectively confirmed this report: “None of the new hires listed conservative organizations.”) In fact, many of them hailed from backgrounds with outfits such as the “Intersex Society of North America,” or wrote essays about “Genital Normalizing Surgery on Intersexed Infants,” or fiercely advocated the “rights” of prisoners in Arizona to perform Hawaiian chants and rituals. Since Dec. 3, 2009, Perez has insisted on personally approving each of these new hires.

He has aggressively continued a series of lawsuits against various municipal police and fire departments to try to force them to jettison written tests for membership – including a suit against the heroic Fire Department of New York in which the Obama team has argued in favor of what amounts to strict racial quotas – at the expense of public safety. Amazingly enough, Perez actually argued that black firefighter applicants who fail 70 percent (!!!!) of the entrance exam still be admitted to the fire academy. This is, by the way, another case where Perez may well be on the losing side: Last month, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals issued a “stay” blocking enforcement of the Perez team’s preferred outcome that would have punished the FDNY.

Long before Perez started working for the Obama Justice Department, he had developed a record as a radical’s radical. Wrote the Heritage Foundation’s Hans von Spakovsky:

Perez also served as president of Casa de Maryland, an extreme advocacy organization that opposes the enforcement of our immigration laws. This group has encouraged illegal aliens not to speak with police officers or immigration agents; it has fought restrictions on illegal aliens’ receiving driver’s licenses; it has urged the Montgomery County Police Department not to enforce federal fugitive warrants; it has advocated giving illegal aliens in-state tuition; and it has actively promulgated “day labor” sites, where illegal aliens and disreputable employers openly skirt federal prohibitions on hiring undocumented individuals.

Moreover, Perez’ enthusiasm for racial quotas (or their equivalent) has gone beyond even the traditional leftist rationalization that quotas are needed to atone for past discrepancies, into the hard-left realm of providing preferences for what the Washington Times called “other social objectives as well.”

Meanwhile, DoJ under Perez repeatedly slow-walked efforts to help ensure that overseas military personnel have real opportunity to exercise their voting rights – and then Perez moved to make permanent the appointment of the official whose incompetence or willful foot-dragging was largely responsible for the failures. (Worse, at the same time Perez’ division was stiffing our soldiers, it was going overboard – without any real jurisdiction – to interfere in each state to try to help felons regain voting privileges.)

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, there is the little matter of a federal judge hinting broadly that Perez may have committed perjury when testifying that there had been no interference by political appointees in the course of the Obama DoJ’s decision to drop already-won voter-intimidation cases against New Black Panthers in Philadelphia. This came after Perez also had, apparently unlawfully, refused to honor valid subpoenas from the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights — and it was in addition to yet another falsehood by Perez, this one to the effect that DoJ had sought the maximum allowable penalty against the Panthers. And it is in addition to several other of Perez’s alleged falsehoods as recounted by noted whistleblower J. Christian Adams, who resigned in protest of them — most egregiously, to my mind, when Perez wrongly denied that anybody in his division had ever announced that Obama DoJ practice would be to avoid prosecuting certain types of cases or enforcing certain sections of voting laws.

While the original decision to dismiss the case pre-dated Perez’ appointment to the Justice Department, his direct involvement in, and hands-on management of, what amounted to a cover-up of the decision’s origins should alone be disqualifying for any Cabinet post.

Again, the words about Perez’ dishonesty came straight from federal judge Reggie Walton:

The documents reveal that political appointees within DOJ were conferring about the status and resolution of the New Black Panther Party case in the days preceding the DOJ’s dismissal of claims in that case, which would appear to contradict Assistant Attorney General Perez’s testimony that political leadership was not involved in that decision. Surely the public has an interest in documents that cast doubt on the accuracy of government officials’ representations regarding the possible politicization of agency decision-making.

Thomas Perez has a record of dishonesty, radical leftism, legal hackery, and contempt in some cases for the rule of law itself. This man has no business heading a major Cabinet Department; instead, he should be swiftly cashiered from all federal government service.

About the Author

Quin Hillyer is a senior editor of The American Spectator and a senior fellow at the Center for Individual Freedom. Follow him on Twitter @QuinHillyer.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (61) |

R Martin| 3.12.13 @ 7:40AM

As they say, elections have consequences, and one of the consequences of Obama’s race-based appointments is to generate backlash among people who otherwise have never had a racist bone in their bodies. This president’s transparent strategy to create class, race and ethnic warfare must surely come a cropper, but probably not until a strong and persuasive opponent slaps him down for it.

CJW| 3.12.13 @ 8:04AM

You are absolutely correct.

I thought the article was describing Obama.

Perez, like Sebellius, Kerry, Hagel, Holder, Hillary, Brennan, Kagan, Sotomayor, Biden, are all carrying out the policies of Obama. The focus should be on Obama not his flunkies. If Perez is not confirmed O will appoint a clone of Perez who will do whatever O wants.

TLP| 3.12.13 @ 9:11AM

Nobody's getting anythinged. Especially, not Blocked.

They just waived John F-ing Kerry through, thus confirming the Shakespearian pronouncement of John F-ing Kerry himself: "In America, people have the Right to be Stupid."

Indeed.

They just waived John Brennan through for CIA Director. The Muslim convert - John Brennan. The guy who would not place his hand on The Bible, but chose the Constitution, instead. A Constitution, minus the Bill of Rights, and that he doesn't believe in, anyway.

Guys like Quinn have got to leave the Ivory Tower, now and then. Be like Stein. Drive around to some of your houses. Better yet - Drive around and visit some of John F-ing McCain's Wife's Houses or John F-ing Kerry's Wife's Houses. Neither one's done a Goddamn Thing since Vietnam except Milk it for all it was worth, latch on to a Sugar Mamma, and Strut around the Well of the Senate, stopping at every Mirror to give it a Kiss.

Anyone that's been in that Cesspool of Corruption for more than 2 Terms? You can write'em off. They've been Contaminated. Like Anna K - they're Damaged Goods. Like 99% of every Senator who's ever lived, since the days of the Roman Senate, they long ago forgot about The Empire. The Glory of Rome. God and Country. Like a Rotting Corpse, they quickly decompose into their basic elements, until all that's left is the Guy on tha Game Show, inside the Booth with all of that Money whirling all around him, trying to put as much in his pockets as he can in the time allotted.

Al Adab| 3.12.13 @ 9:34AM

Every last cabinet nominee, beginning with the aforementioned traitor Kerry down through Brennan and to Perez (not to mention those Supreme Court appointments) has been for the purpose of rubbing our noses in it. The complete radicalization of this government is proceeding apace and the vaunted Senate simply bends over and presents.

None of these people are worth successors to those who came before. Where is Cordell Hull or Dean Acheson or Henry Clay? Where are men of courage, conviction and patriotism? Clearly this administration has none and in the Senate Where is Cato? Lord help is if we cannot reject these nominations. Must we then suffer the likes of Brutus and Cassius?

TLP| 3.12.13 @ 12:48PM

Apparently, you haven't been listening to John McCain, Lindsey Graham, Orin Hatch, Charles Grassley, and the rest of the Olde Guard Republican Senators for the last 30 Years.

If you had, you would know that (Democrat) "Presidents should be able to have the people that they want."

Hell......even Filibuster Boy - Rand Paul - said the same thing last week, whereby, after his Filibuster, he Voted FOR the Muslim Convert - John Brennen - (who did not put his hand on the Bible) after already Voting FOR John F-ing Kerry.

They suffer from the Political Equivilent of Battered Wife Syndrome.

Big Contest this week, on Kaminsky's Blog.

God Help Us.

WRTolkas| 3.12.13 @ 7:57AM

Heck, sounds like a shoe-in to me.

Maxwell| 3.12.13 @ 8:09AM

Rats, you just beat me to it! I was about to say, he sounds quite normal for Barry & Friends.

Drunken Sailor| 3.12.13 @ 10:15AM

Want to bet his Bath house membership is paid up as well?

SUBVET| 3.12.13 @ 10:30AM

Does it include all the soap you can use..........

Drunken Sailor| 3.12.13 @ 12:38PM

Yep but it's powdered so it takes longer to pick up.

Maxwell| 3.12.13 @ 1:30PM

Just the images I DON'T need after a really nice lunch (yes, I bring lunch, I'm on economic strike till Barry is out of office. Ok, except guns and ammo).

Drunken Sailor| 3.12.13 @ 1:52PM

Just doing my mayor bloomberg duties to reduce your appetite and keep your weight under control.

No thanks neccessary.

Bob K| 3.12.13 @ 8:16AM

Mr. Hillyer,
Don't look for much opposition from our Quisling Republican Senators. He was approved for his current position by a 72 to 22 vote in the Senate. Only Sens. Coburn and your man Vitter spoke out against him.

But you are right. He is a skunk!

It's past time you started talking about a few Republican Senators like you talk about Perez. It's long past time most of the writers on this site did!

Pecos Pete| 3.12.13 @ 8:33AM

Which is worse? (1) Perez at DOJ; or, (2) Perez at Labor.

Regardless, Perez is going to be in King O's administration doing his damnedest to bring the USA down to the level of a banana republic. King O's transformation of the USA continues. Forward!

TLP| 3.12.13 @ 9:21AM

Just remember that the Clinton IS gonna hit the fan, and make sure you've prepared. Make sure to stock up on Provisions: Food, Water, Weapons and Ammunition. TOILET PAPER, Bandages and Antiseptics.

And, don't be afraid to show Tim how much you appreciate him, after you've been riding him all day. Just ask yourself: What would Purp do?

I'm sending you a Bracelet for your wrist: WWPD?

Don't forget........Contest/Friday/Kaminsky's Ghost Town of a Blog.

Who Knows?| 3.12.13 @ 11:34AM

0 + 0 = 0

TLP| 3.12.13 @ 1:19PM

Obviously, a+s+s+h+o+l+e=Who Knows.

Jakota| 3.12.13 @ 8:45AM

And don't forget the media here. They never seem to report on what Obama is doing behind the scenes, creating guilt by omission. The media is every bit as slimy as Obama and his crew.

KennesawJack| 3.12.13 @ 9:06AM

I predict the Republicans will NOT cave on this nomination..........for at least three weeks.

TLP| 3.12.13 @ 9:22AM

Don't you mean: 3 Dinners?

Who Knows?| 3.12.13 @ 11:34AM

0 + 0 = 0

TLP| 3.12.13 @ 1:19PM

Obviously, a+s+s+h+o+l+e=Who Knows.

Albert Constantine Jr.| 3.12.13 @ 9:15AM

What is most insidious about Perez is how in addition to his case by case advocacy of the radical left agenda which he and Obama share, he has planned for the long haul by planting his acolytes in the career ranks of the USDOJ. In essence, he has drafted well, filled out his minor leagues at all levels, and set up his 40 and 25 man rosters with a deep bench and strong starters.

Even after (and if) the political process cuts off the head of the beast, the body can go on for some time, wreaking havoc from within and without of the government.

TLP| 3.12.13 @ 9:32AM

Let's not forget the 3 Million Principled Conservatives who stayed home in November to teach everyone else - who's nowhere near as great as they are - a Lesson.

They basically drilled holes in the bottom of the Boat (A Boat that they, themselves, are sitting in) out of Spite, because it's a Rowboat and they wanted a Canoe.

This needn't be happening.

And, don't give me the B.S. about the RINOS picking the Candidates. We had Primaries, and the guy with the Best Hair won.

This is just the 3rd Month of his 2nd 4Years, and everyone's having their Period over these last 3Guys?

I guarantee ya: You ain't seen Nuthin, yet.

Who Knows?| 3.12.13 @ 11:34AM

0 + 0 = 0

TLP| 3.12.13 @ 1:20PM

Obviously, a+s+s+h+o+l+e=Who Knows.

Al Adab| 3.12.13 @ 1:46PM

Pi2= unemployment.

KennesawJack| 3.12.13 @ 11:01AM

And, Al, that is one very, very large "if".

TLP| 3.12.13 @ 1:21PM

Big Contest this weekend at Kaminsky's Blog, on the right side of the Home Page.

God Help Us.

CJW| 3.12.13 @ 1:54PM

Does Kaminsky select the topic?

TLP| 3.12.13 @ 3:03PM

Are you out of your mind?

CJW| 3.12.13 @ 5:22PM

Then what is K's role or involvement?

Albert Constantine Jr.| 3.12.13 @ 2:44PM

True dat.

Kwan| 3.12.13 @ 9:39AM

Another gung-ho committed leftist working against the country that is paying his salary, in order to convert that country into Venezuela-North. This is no longer a stealth-revolution, but a very out in the open exposition of leftist efforts to destabilize our country and convert it into a Communist People's Republic.

Louis Jenkins| 3.12.13 @ 10:31AM

Obama promised an open, transparent administration (on some things). This man is as Marxist as marxist can be. Might as well go ahead and appoint old Scratch himself to a position, as it cannot get any worse. Oh, sorry, I forgot. Obama is Scratch.

sickofit5| 3.12.13 @ 10:46AM

Aren't you guys being a little hard on the Beaver this morning. We still have some fighters left in the Senate. Don't despair we still have people like McCain and Graham. Look what Graham did during the Hagle and Brennan confirmation. Remember how he made it clear that he was going to block their confirmations until the president answered their questions on Benghazi. Remember how he did that. Can't wait to hear what those answers were. You gotta love how he let's it all hang out when he gets angry. You know, like how he got really, really, really angry at Rand Paul for his filibuster of the Brennan appointment while he and the rest of the guys were out chumming with Barry or was that chooming with Barry. And finally, I love how he is going to make a stand on the immigration bill so that it is passed immediately after the Easter break. This is Graham's reasoning, “You don’t want to leave it hanging out for two weeks to get shot up by opponents." All this leaves one pondering, who is Lindsey Graham's gynecologist?

TLP| 3.12.13 @ 12:53PM

His Gyno's the same guy that makes his Dresses.

Who Knows?| 3.12.13 @ 11:49AM

“Why’s ever body always pickin’ on me?” Charlie Brown, Charlie Brown.

He’s a clown, that Charlie Brown.

Who do you think Obama REALLY is?

I say, you go girls, and enjoy your detailed takedowns of all the radicals the clown Obama tries to put into positions of power. Know this, though---playing whack-a-mole, at this late dying stage of America, is futile.

Want to be almost suicidally depressed---conventionally?

The One has over three years to go, at least, and the odds are he will be able to shift the SCOTUS to a leftist absolute one-and-done state. The GOP “cats” have, for too long, been long gone, as they continue to act out my maxim---those who have power, but don’t use it, have no power. So, the leftist “mice” continue to breed like Muslims, and sneak into higher and higher places within the structures of America.

Thomas Perez? Just a tip of the myriad spears.

Obama is laughing all the way to the LEFT bank.

Cry, the beloved country.

TLP| 3.12.13 @ 1:21PM

Obviously, a+s+s+h+o+l+e=Who Knows.

Who Knows?| 3.12.13 @ 4:06PM

writes the marijuana dealer

Al Adab| 3.12.13 @ 12:14PM

In other news Hamas, those peace loving folks from Gaza, announce they will declare war if Obama visits the temple mount during his trip to Israel. Oh the irony. Would he not bring his prayer rug and visit the Dome or Al Aqsa? Life gets ever more interesting.

TLP| 3.12.13 @ 12:58PM

This is the same Hamas that sells Drinking Mugs with Obama's head on'em.

He's wearing an Arab Hat, and a Muslim Dishrag around his neck.

According to them - He was sent by their Moon God of Rape, Blood, Subjugation, and Murder, to Destroy the Jews and Deliver Jerusalem back into the hands of the Muslims. They've even given him the name: Abu Hussain - Son of the Father.

He's their Jesus.

Al Adab| 3.12.13 @ 1:15PM

Perhaps lightening (Barak) will strike the dome if he is there. Wonder how that might be explained. Or his his presence the lightening strike itself?

TLP| 3.12.13 @ 1:22PM

His presence is the Fulfillment of Prophesy.

Al Adab| 3.12.13 @ 3:02PM

The abomination of desolation perhaps? American economy is desolate. Barak was the name of Deborahs general.

The red suspenders look wonderful on you.

TLP| 3.12.13 @ 3:33PM

Thank you for noticing.

Who Knows?| 3.12.13 @ 4:06PM

0 + 0 = 0

crankitup| 3.12.13 @ 1:16PM

ahmed mustafa brennan is in, DCIA or mullah for barack hussein obama, so what's up with this guy perez ? at this point what difference does it make? the new black panthers need a guy like this to assist eric the red in transforming our Constitution to sharia law.

TLP| 3.12.13 @ 1:24PM

Beelzebub has many handmaidens.

Who Knows?| 3.12.13 @ 4:06PM

0 + 0 = 0

Al Adab| 3.12.13 @ 4:21PM

There once was a No Nothing party in American history. Perhaps...?

Who Knows?| 3.12.13 @ 4:53PM

No nothing or know nothing?

I know---no thing.

Al Adab| 3.12.13 @ 7:56PM

Good evening. Simply my sorry and obviously failed attempt at a pun. No = 0

Controse| 3.12.13 @ 1:33PM

Oboutme is like a naughty preteen trying to see what he can get away with without punishment. Careless disregard for the safety of an ambassador - no punishment. Gun running to drug cartels - no punishment. Wasting a trillion dollars a year - no punishment. Lying as a way of life - no punishment. And now all these moral freaks to round out his Cabinet - no punishment.

He is probably exhausted trying to come up with an outrage more outrageous than the last outrage. Maybe he will decide to publicly defecate on John Boehner's desk and call it a day.

djn1313| 3.12.13 @ 1:36PM

obama and the progressive/marxist demoRATS promised us the most transparent government ever. They have proven to be the most transparent corrupt, incompetent, racist, and self-indulged administration ever. obama admits he is a LIAR by breaking promises, appointing crooks and thieves to his cabinet and still the mainstream media and many dumbed down Americans re-elected him. The demoRATS show no shame in swindling the American people and enriching themselves.

djn1313| 3.12.13 @ 1:39PM

obama, the illegal candidate, should have been blocked from being president. The demoRAT party is a threat to our nation.

Dave in LA| 3.12.13 @ 2:20PM

Before I read this piece, I sent my two senators messages essentially mirroring Quin's column. Perez is the epitome of what's wrong with Washington. As the Drive By Truckers sing, "lying sacks of s**t."

Anthony| 3.12.13 @ 2:32PM

Not to worry Obozo, McLame and his band of wacko birds will see to it that you get your man as Sec. of Labor!!!
After all prez, you da man, and as McLame told America in 08, we have nothing to fear from an Obozo presidency, including his leftwing nut job cabinet and illegal tzar appointments.
But those wacko birds R senators, led by Paul, now they are dangerous!!!!

Third Army| 3.12.13 @ 4:59PM

Guess what. He's going to be appointed because the Republicans don't have the balls to block him.

Gartenmayer | 3.13.13 @ 4:38AM

Perez also served as president of Casa de Maryland, an extreme advocacy organization that opposes the enforcement of our immigration laws. This group has encouraged illegal aliens not to speak with police officers or immigration agents; it has fought restrictions on illegal aliens’ receiving driver’s licenses; it has urged the Montgomery County Police Department not to enforce federal fugitive warrants; it has advocated http://www.toneweras.com/new-e.....n-c-3.html giving illegal aliens in-state tuition; and it has actively promulgated “day labor” sites, where illegal aliens and disreputable employers openly skirt federal prohibitions on hiring undocumented individuals.

Paul Murphy | 3.13.13 @ 4:39PM

Dear Mr. Hillyer:

Please allow me to paraphrase you:

If President Obama thinks he can get away with appointing an obvious prevaricator to be Secretary of defense, he must be completely in touch with reality.

Good people surround themselves with better people (and answer their email), scum surround themselves with worse scum.

More Articles by Quin Hillyer

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March 26, 2013 | Quin Hillyer

The Labor Nominee’s Other Lies

March 19, 2013 | Quin Hillyer

The Coming Obama Crack-Up

March 6, 2013 | Quin Hillyer

http://spectator.org/archives/2013/03/12/thomas-perez-should-be-blocked

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