Senate confirms Clarke as first Black woman to lead DOJ civil rights

The Senate on Tuesday voted to confirm Kristen Clarke as the new head of the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Civil Rights Division in a tight 51-48 vote, with Sen. Susan Collins (Maine) the only Republican to cross party lines and vote for her.

Clarke will be the first Black woman to lead the influential wing of the Justice Department and will serve as assistant attorney general for civil rights.