Clare E. Connors has stepped down as the U.S. Attorney for the District of Hawaii, with her resignation effective January 19, according to an announcement. Appointed by President Biden in 2021 and confirmed by the Senate that December, Connors served in the role since January 3, 2022. "It was a privilege to rejoin this office and to serve Hawaii as the chief federal law enforcement officer," Connors stated, as cited by the U.S Attorney's Office. She lauded the mission of the Department, claiming its significance in maintaining the state's safety and adhering to the rule of law.
Overseeing an office comprising roughly 60 attorneys and staff, Connors spearheaded an agenda intent on curbing public corruption and integrity violations, apart from handling federal crimes like drug trafficking and child exploitation. Charged with prosecuting these federal crimes and others, the contributions spanned across initiatives to mitigate targeted violence, especially with her office's involvement with initiatives like Threat Team Hawaii. Announced by Connors, the office championed efforts in community safety and tackling organized crime in collaborative actions with state and local law enforcement.
The U.S. Attorney's office under Connors also dedicated resources to confront high-stakes drug operations and violent crime. It simultaneously worked on launching affirmative civil actions, and it was they who were responsible for collecting dues owed to the government. Another notable area of focus was the implementation of programs that tackled child exploitation, with endeavors such as aiding groups like Weed and Seed Hawaii in support of community work.
Connors' tenure was notable for her stress on building bridges between the public and federal law enforcement. She diligently encouraged individuals to come forward with evidence of wrongdoing, inviting reports of financial malfeasance or civil rights infringements, thereby indicating the potential for whistleblower and qui tam actions. This call for vigilance and civic duty was reflected in Connors' repeated attempts to involve the local community in justice initiatives, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
