Stanley Woodward, nominated to be associate attorney general, told the Senate Judiciary Committee he would work to identify and end the “weaponization” of the Justice Department and to restore the civil-rights division to broader enforcement if confirmed.

Woodward said he had seen “how the power of government can be used and can be abused” during his legal career and pledged, if confirmed, to “seek justice for all” and to assist the department in organizing its affirmative litigation. He told senators the department should pursue challenges to regulations it deems unconstitutional and that affirmative litigation across DOJ components (civil, civil-rights, antitrust, tax) should be coordinated.

Senators asked about specific cases and policy priorities. Senator Josh Hawley, Senator Ted Cruz and others sought assurances DOJ would enforce the administration’s Title IX executive orders on women's sports; Woodward said the department is enforcing the president’s orders and “we’ll see you in court” if states or institutions refuse to comply. Senators also pressed Woodward on the department’s role in recent civil litigation such as briefs in the mifepristone (abortion drug) litigation and on the handling of prosecutions that critics say targeted political or religious actors.

Woodward stated he would review high-profile matters to ensure the department is not misusing prosecutorial or civil enforcement tools and said he welcomed additional legislation where appropriate. He also said the civil-rights division had historically protected broad constitutional rights and raised concerns about recent narrowing of certain civil-rights work.

Why it matters: The associate attorney general oversees civil litigation and the civil-rights division, among other components, and can influence DOJ priorities across the government. Senators asked whether the department will defend agency regulatory decisions and whether it will cooperate with state actors when appropriate.

Committee context: Senators raised the acquittal of a demonstrator charged under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act and asked if DOJ would reconsider cases that critics view as overreach. They also pressed the department to consider remedies for individuals who allege government abuse and asked whether DOJ would work to preserve voting integrity under newly proposed state measures.

No formal committee vote occurred during the hearing. Senators said written follow-ups were permissible.