WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — Vanita Gupta, the Associate Attorney General of the United States, is set to step down from her position in February 2024, according to an official statement. Gupta is the first Indian American and first woman of color to hold the Department of Justice’s third-highest-ranking role.
She led the “Reproductive Rights Taskforce” to protect reproductive freedoms, earning praise from Attorney General Merrick B. Garland for her service. She spearheaded efforts to build trust between police and communities, championed reproductive freedom, supported victims of gun violence, advocated for economic opportunities, and expanded community violence intervention programs.
Garland acknowledged Gupta’s integral role in combating violent crime and gun violence, stating her commitment to justice and bringing people together made her an effective leader. Gupta oversaw several departments within the Department of Justice, demonstrating leadership in civil litigation, grantmaking, and various crucial divisions.
As the chair of the Reproductive Rights Task Force and the Opioid Epidemic Civil Litigation Task Force, Gupta actively addressed issues related to reproductive health rights and unjust practices related to fines and fees. Her contributions extended to major legal settlements in mass shooting cases and overseeing pattern or practice investigations of police forces.
Gupta’s departure, anticipated after the completion of the critical incident review of the Uvalde, Texas mass shooting response, marks the end of a three-year tenure. Garland expressed confidence Gupta’s contributions would be felt long after her departure.
Throughout her career, Gupta held significant roles, including president and CEO at the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and deputy legal director at the ACLU.
