Newly sworn in Attorney General Loretta Lynch has been called in to a meeting at the White House with President Barack Obama to discuss the unfolding situation in Baltimore, an administration source said Monday.
Lynch has been monitoring the clash there between police and protestors over the death of Freddie Gray, a Justice Department official said.
Lynch — whose strong relationship with the law enforcement was touted as a key qualification — is now facing her first major challenge just hours after being sworn into office.
The White House is also closely watching the events and is considering putting out a statement addressing the situation, according to White House officials.
The White House sent three representatives to Baltimore on Monday for Gray’s funeral: Broderick Johnson, a native of the city and the chairman of the My Brother’s Keeper Task Force; Heather Foster, an adviser in the White House Office of Public Engagement; and Elias Alcantara, the associate director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs.
Broderick and Foster also attended the funeral of Michael Brown, the unarmed 18-year-old who was shot and killed by a Ferguson, Missouri police officer last August.
During his tenure as attorney general, Holder had spearheaded a federal effort to crack down on police departments that show a pattern of racial bias, and considered bringing federal charges in the Brown shooting.
Holder visited Ferguson immediately after intense protests there began and said his presence helped calm the situation.
Under Holder, the Justice Department also sent community relations officials to Baltimore in an effort to improve communications between the community and law enforcement there.
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan’s office said the recently elected Republican has not activated the state’s National Guard, but is monitoring events in Baltimore and expected to have a statement later Monday night.
Baltimore police said seven officers have suffered serious injuries in the clashes on the city’s streets, including broken bones, and one is unconscious.
At one point, police officers in riot gear took cover behind an armored vehicle as protesters pelted them with rocks. Officers appeared to use tear gas on the protesters.
Baltimore police said there is a “credible threat” that local gangs are planning to team up in an effort to “take out” law enforcement officers.
