BAPS Public Affairs congratulates Merrick Garland on being named Attorney General by President-Elect Joe Biden.  We also congratulate Lisa Monaco on being named Deputy Attorney General, Vanita Gupta on being named Associate Attorney General, and Kristen Clarke on being named Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. We applaud President-Elect Biden’s commitment to prosecuting hate crimes and deterring such crimes at houses of worship.  The Department of Justice plays an important role for faith communities – not just when it comes to hate crimes, but also on civil rights issues, such as enforcement of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000.  We hope Attorney General-Designate Garland and all other nominees will work with the Hindu community on these and other issues.