​​​​​​​In the Name of Hate: Examining the Federal Government’s Role in Responding to Hate Crimes

In this report, the Commission examined three areas: (1) federal law enforcement’s hate crimes reporting practices and local policies being developed to encourage greater reporting; (2) federal prosecution and enforcement of laws regarding hate crimes and bias-motivated incidents; and (3) prevention of federal crimes based on race, national origin, ethnicity, disability, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Further, the Commission also explored the increase in reported hate incidents in American schools and in the public realm, along with current and potential civil rights tools that may be used to protect students and others against hateful, hostile, or threatening speech, including online speech, within the bounds of the First Amendment.