For over six decades, the Community Relations Service (CRS) has served as “America’s Peacemaker,” mediating the most volatile conflicts, bridging divides among diverse communities, and safeguarding civil rights for the vulnerable. As part of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Congress created CRS as a federal racial-justice mediator whose purpose is to help communities in conflict resolve their differences through open dialogue. CRS mediates disputes involving race, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity. In the aftermath of violent events such as hate or bias-motivated crimes and extrajudicial killings by police, CRS has promptly deployed its personnel and services to assist local officials and community leaders as they deescalate tensions and begin the hard work of healing.

But in March 2025, the Department of Justice announced the sudden elimination of CRS and began dismantling the independent agency, without waiting for Congressional approval.

The Robert and Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center signed on to an amicus brief alongside more than 102 civil-rights, community-based, educational, faith, disability, and public-safety organizations, explaining the real-world impacts of CRS and urging the court to stop the U.S. Department of Justice from unlawfully shutting it down. 

What is the legal argument in this case?

The executive branch cannot unilaterally shutter an independent agency like CRS that Congress created and mandated to perform statutory duties. The amicus brief explains how the illegal closing of CRS will deprive communities of color and other historically marginalized groups of critical services and resources for addressing conflicts ranging from extrajudicial killings by police to violence against houses of worship.

What is the status of this case?

The case remains in litigation.

December 5, 2025

December 5, 2025

December 5, 2025