Cameron’s office is expected to make an announcement in its probe soon. Kentucky’s Democratic governor, Andy Beshear, said last month that he expects a decision in the case to be made before the Kentucky Derby is held on September 5.
Taylor’s case, which helped spark nationwide protests over racial injustice this summer, has placed Cameron in the spotlight as activists demand that the officers responsible for her death be arrested, and it could serve as a pivotal moment in the 34-year-old attorney general’s career.
“Even as anarchists mindlessly tear up American cities while attacking police and innocent bystanders, we Republicans do recognize those who work in good faith towards peace, justice and equality,” he said. “In fact, it was Gen. Dwight Eisenhower, a future Republican president, who said democracy is a system that recognizes the equality of humans before the law.”
“I think often about my ancestors who struggled for freedom, and as I think of those giants and their broad shoulders, I also think about Joe Biden, who says, ‘If you are not voting for me, you ain’t black,'” Cameron said at one point, paraphrasing a comment Biden had made in May.
CNN has reached out to Cameron’s office for comment.
‘A star is born’
Cameron, the first Republican to hold the office of Kentucky attorney general in seven decades, is a protege of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, having served as the Kentucky Republican’s general counsel from 2015 to 2017, a role that included leading Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch’s confirmation process.
Cameron’s relationship with McConnell paid off, as the senator’s support for his bid helped him secure his victory last year.
Cameron’s bid also had the backing of Trump, who praised him in Kentucky ahead of his election.
“A star is born,” Trump said of Cameron at a presidential rally for Kentucky Republicans. Following Cameron’s election, Trump said in a tweet: “Great going Daniel, proud of you!”
Cameron ran as an unapologetic conservative, which, along with a major assist from McConnell’s organization, helped boost him to a primary win over a sitting state senator and then a relatively easy general election victory over Democrat Greg Stumbo, a former speaker of the state House and a former state attorney general himself. Cameron touted his support for Trump’s immigration policies as well as his socially conservative views on abortion.
“We are working around the clock to follow the law to the truth,” Cameron said at a news conference in June. “I’d also like to say to all those involved in this case, you have my commitment that our office is undertaking a thorough and fair investigation.”
In mid-August, Cameron met with Taylor’s family for the first time, more than 150 days after Louisville police killed her in her home. His office said he was “grateful” to hold the meeting, which included Taylor’s mother, Tamika Palmer, sister, aunt, family attorneys and a local activist.
“The meeting provided an opportunity for Attorney General Cameron to personally express his condolences to the family,” the office said in a statement. Lonita Baker, an attorney for the family, said after the meeting that Cameron had told them he hadn’t met with the family earlier because he didn’t want it to interfere with the investigation.
CNN’s Caroline Kelly, Chris Cillizza, Eric Levenson and Elizabeth Joseph contributed to this report.