County Executive Marc Elrich called the roll-back of fair housing enforcement under the Trump administration “racially-motivated” and “just another threat to people.”“It kind of further cements his role as leading American racist in a high political office,” Elrich said during a recent media briefing. Last week, members of Congress wrote to HUD Secretary Scott Turner with concern about recent actions and demanding that the department reverse course and ensure fair housing. According to the whistleblower report from HUD civil rights attorneys, a number of Office of Fair Housing attorneys — who litigate discrimination complaints — were cut under President Donald Trump’s administration and remaining attorneys were told fair housing was “not a priority” of the administration. Under Secretary Turner, the Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Office has been “decimated by illegal firings” and mass resignations under threat of large-scale reductions in force. And, HUD has a plan to remove the majority of attorneys doing the mandated duties of the Fair Housing Office, according to the whistleblower report.