IFA Statement on Nomination of Steve Dettelbach to Lead ATF

Dire Threat of Domestic Extremism Made All the More Volatile As Extremists Exploit Gun Laws To Turn Hate Even More Deadly; Dettelbach Has Experience, Determination to Confront These Challenges

WASHINGTON, DC -- Integrity First for America -- the civil rights nonprofit that recently won its landmark lawsuit against the white supremacists responsible for the Charlottesville violence -- welcomed the White House’s nomination of Steve Dettelbach to lead the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Dettelbach is a highly respected former U.S. Attorney and career prosecutor who has confronted domestic extremism, as well as a member of IFA’s Leadership Council.

IFA Executive Director Amy Spitalnick released the following statement:

“Violent extremism is a dire threat to our national security and our democracy -- and that threat is made all the more volatile as extremists exploit gun laws to turn their hate even more deadly.

Steve Dettelbach has made the fight against domestic violent extremism and hate a centerpiece of his career. If you know him, it’s no surprise that he’s built such a deep well of support and respect across communities.

At such a crucial moment in the concurrent, connected fights against gun violence and extremism, Steve’s strong leadership at ATF would be a critical step forward.

We urge the Senate to swiftly confirm his nomination.”

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Integrity First for America (IFA) is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization dedicated to holding those accountable who threaten longstanding principles of our democracy -- including our country's commitment to civil rights and equal justice. IFA spearheaded the landmark federal lawsuit against the two dozen neo-Nazis, white supremacists, and hate groups responsible for the August 2017 violence in Charlottesville. To learn more about the case, click here.