President Donald Trump’s Department of Justice put Buncombe County and city of Asheville leaders on notice if it approves recommendations from the Asheville-Buncombe Community Reparations Commission.
In a Sept. 4 letter, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Harmeet K. Dhillon said her office reviewed the recommendations and was “deeply concerned.”
“Many of the recommendations, if implemented, would violate federal civil rights law, including, without limitation, the Fair Housing Act, Title VI, Title VII, and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution,” Dhillon contends.
The letter came two days after the reparations commission presented its final report to the county commission. The group was established in March of 2022 in the wake of 2020’s racial justice protests.
Included in the final report were 39 recommendations, spanning five different areas, including criminal justice, economic development, education, health and wellness, and housing.
Three examples of those recommendations are:
- Universal funding for Early Childhood Education
- Addressing damage to churches/homes in legacy neighborhoods as a result of Helene
- Providing grants to legacy neighborhoods and public housing communities
Although no formal action was taken by county commissioners this month, the letter seemed to imply that the county already intends to approve the recommendations.
“According to media statements by the county’s Chief Equity and Human Rights Officer, Dr. Noreal F. Armstrong, the county has already set aside more than $2.9 million toward implementing the recommendations,” Dhillon said in the letter. “...My office stands ready to investigate and enforce violations of federal civil rights laws to the fullest extent possible.”
Kassi Day, spokesperson for Buncombe County, told BPR in an email that county commissioners just received the letter today because the DOJ sent it to the incorrect mail address.
"Buncombe County has been and will always follow the letter of the law and will continue to comply with all federal anti-discrimination regulations," Day said. "It appears no response was requested from the County, and we want the community to know that Buncombe County Government understands the oversight and monitoring of these recommendations as we strive the meet the needs of everyone in our community."
Kim Miller, spokesperson for the city of Asheville, says the letter was also shared with City Council members, and they are determining next steps.
“Our legal team will advise the City Council and staff on the legality of the Commission recommendations, in order to ensure compliance with current law,” Miller said. “Because the letter was not addressed to the City of Asheville, nor was any response requested, the City does not anticipate providing one at this time.”
The reparations commission is expected to present its final report to the City Council on Sept. 9.
