Question

The Civil Division of the Justice Department:

A. represents the U.S. government when it is the plaintiff enforcing federal criminal laws.
B. deals with litigation in which the United States is the defendant being sued for injury and damages allegedly inflicted by a government official or agency.
C. regulates licensing and addresses complaints about incivility and obscenity in broadcast media.
D. litigates violations of the Fourteenth Amendment’s ""equal protection clause"" and the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

Answer 1

The Civil Division of the Justice Department litigates violations of the Fourteenth Amendment's equal protection clause and the 1964 Civil Rights Act to ensure that all Americans are treated equally under the law, addressing systemic discrimination.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Civil Division of the Justice Department plays a key role in upholding the principles enshrined in the Fourteenth Amendment and the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The Fourteenth Amendment, via its equal protection clause, requires that states may not "deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." This clause has become a foundational element in the fight against discrimination and is the major instrument the Supreme Court uses for scrutinizing state regulations that may affect civil rights.

Alongside the constitutional mandate, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 plays a crucial part by outlawing discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in employment, public accommodations, and education. This Act also established mechanisms to enforce these provisions, with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission being a notable example.

It is the responsibility of the Civil Division of the Justice Department to litigate violations against these critical civil rights protections, ensuring that all Americans are treated equally and that systemic discrimination is addressed through the judicial process.