A legal activist group, America First Legal (AFL), led by former Trump adviser Stephen Miller, has filed complaints accusing Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg of discriminatory hiring practices.
Newsweek reported that the group alleges that Bragg's DEI policies unfairly discriminate against white men and Asian individuals in violation of federal and state laws.
America First Legal (AFL), spearheaded by ex-Trump adviser Stephen Miller, announced on Thursday that it has filed both federal and state complaints against the office of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
The complaints were submitted to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the New York Department of Labor.
AFL's complaints assert that Bragg's office follows Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies in hiring practices that allegedly discriminate based on race and gender. Specifically, the activist group contends that these policies disadvantage white men and individuals of Asian descent.
The group based its allegations on a section of the Manhattan D.A.'s website that indicates a commitment to DEI. AFL claims that such a commitment may lead to the exclusion of white, male, or Asian applicants from consideration in hiring and promotion processes.
"Today, America First Legal (AFL) filed a federal civil rights complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and a state law complaint with the New York Department of Labor against Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg for alleged racial and sex discrimination in hiring and recruitment," AFL stated. The complaints argue these practices violate the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the New York State Human Rights Law.
AFL asserts that Bragg's recruitment and promotion tactics are not only discriminatory but also illegal. Reed D. Rubinstein, AFL Senior Vice President, emphasized the gravity of these allegations. "Bragg's self-described recruitment, hiring, and promotion practices and quotas violate our nondiscrimination laws," Rubinstein stated. He urged the EEOC and New York Human Rights Division to act accordingly.
Rubinstein further criticized Bragg, claiming that the district attorney has shown a willingness to violate the law to advance political motives. He stated, "Alvin Bragg has demonstrated beyond all doubt that he will disregard the law and abuse his authority to advance a political agenda." Rubinstein described Bragg’s hiring strategies as "obnoxious, immoral, and illegal."
The senior vice president's remarks underline AFL's broader stance on DEI policies, which they argue undermine equal opportunity principles. "The EEOC and the New York Human Rights Division were created to stop Bragg and others like him from illegally discriminating against Americans," Rubinstein added.
This move by AFL marks their continued effort to challenge organizations on what they perceive as discriminatory DEI practices. The group's filing against Alvin Bragg follows a pattern where they have previously taken similar actions against major corporations like Tyson Foods, Macy's, and Anheuser-Busch.
In the past, AFL has filed civil rights complaints against well-known companies, attacking their DEI initiatives on similar grounds. These actions demonstrate the group's consistent opposition to practices they view as biased.
In addition to their federal complaint, AFL submitted a state-level grievance to the New York Department of Labor.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is notably recognized for the recent prosecution of former President Donald Trump, where Trump was found guilty on 34 felony counts. This high-profile case has kept Bragg in the public eye and has possibly intensified the scrutiny of his office's internal protocols.
The allegations by AFL bring to light the ongoing debate surrounding DEI policies in both public and private sectors. The group argues that prioritizing diversity should not come at the cost of equality or legality.
While AFL's complaints focus on the alleged discriminatory impact of Bragg's hiring practices, they also raise broader questions about the implementation and effects of DEI policies nationwide.
The responses from the EEOC and the New York Department of Labor will play a crucial role in determining how DEI policies are regulated and enforced in the future. Any action taken by these agencies will likely have significant implications for other organizations with similar initiatives.
AFL aims to highlight what it considers detrimental practices within DEI efforts and to advocate for adherence to nondiscrimination laws across all levels of employment.
For now, Alvin Bragg's office has yet to issue a public response to these complaints. The pending investigations and potential legal proceedings will further illuminate the balance between diversity objectives and non-discriminatory practices.
The outcome of this case could set important precedents for how DEI policies are crafted and implemented, ensuring they align with existing nondiscrimination statutes.
This news story encapsulates AFL's broader agenda to challenge what it perceives as policy overreach, continuing its active litigation strategy on matters of civil rights and equality.
The complaints represent AFL's ongoing commitment to contest what it views as unlawful practices, maintaining its stance on preserving equity and the rule of law.
In conclusion, America First Legal has filed federal and state complaints against Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, accusing him of discriminatory hiring practices.
The complaints focus on alleged DEI policy violations impacting white men and Asian individuals. AFL's actions reflect a broader effort to challenge DEI initiatives they see as unfair, and to uphold civil rights laws.
