WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi on Monday ordered the Department of Justice to dismiss its lawsuit against the State of Georgia over Senate Bill 202, ending a high-profile Biden-era legal challenge that alleged the law intentionally suppressed Black voter turnout.
The DOJ’s lawsuit, In Re Georgia Senate Bill 202, was originally filed under the Biden administration in 2021 and claimed the legislation was designed to “depress the Black vote,” describing it as reminiscent of “Jim Crow 2.0.” Bondi, who assumed the role of Attorney General under President Donald Trump, denounced those claims.
“Contrary to the Biden Administration’s false claims of suppression, Black voter turnout actually increased under SB 202,” said Bondi in a statement. “Georgians deserve secure elections, not fabricated claims of false voter suppression meant to divide us.”
Senate Bill 202 implemented several changes to Georgia’s voting process, including requiring photo identification for all voting, tightening absentee ballot procedures, and expediting the reporting of election results. According to the DOJ, the reforms contributed to record voter participation across demographic groups.
Acting Associate Attorney General and DOJ Chief of Staff Chad Mizelle said the department is turning away from politically driven litigation. “There is nothing racist about protecting elections—baseless claims of Jim Crow-style discrimination are the real insult,” Mizelle said.
The original lawsuit received widespread attention and led to corporate backlash, including Major League Baseball’s decision to relocate the 2021 All-Star Game from Atlanta. That move, critics say, resulted in an estimated economic loss exceeding $100 million for the state.
Bondi’s dismissal of the lawsuit marks a broader shift under the Trump administration, which has prioritized ending what it calls “weaponized” legal action and refocusing the Justice Department on enforcing election laws without political influence.
Key Points
- The DOJ has dismissed its lawsuit challenging Georgia’s Senate Bill 202.
- Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated Black voter turnout increased under the law.
- The lawsuit had prompted economic fallout, including MLB’s relocation of the 2021 All-Star Game.