It is the very foundation of our democracy.

The essence of the rule of law is that, like cases are treated alike, that there not be one rule for Democrats and another for Republicans.

One rule for friends, another for foes, one rule for the powerful, another for the powerless, one rule for the rich and another for the poor or different rules, depending upon one's race or ethnicity.

And the essence of its great corollary.

Equal justice under law is that all citizens are protected in the exercise of their civil rights, ensuring the rule of law and making the promise of equal justice under law.

Riel are the great principles upon which the Department of Justice was founded and for which it must always stand.

They echo today in the priorities that lie before us from ensuring racial equity in our justice system to meeting the evolving threat of violent extremism.