
WASHINGTON — The White House says President Barack Obama won't involve himself in decisions by the Justice Department on whether to pursue civil rights charges against George Zimmerman in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin.
White House spokesman Jay Carney says it would be inappropriate for Obama to express an opinion on how the department deals with Zimmerman after the neighborhood watch volunteer's acquittal in the shooting of the unarmed 17-year-old last year.
The Justice Department has said it's considering whether federal prosecutors should file criminal civil rights charges now that Zimmerman has been acquitted in the state case.
The NAACP and others are calling on the Justice Department to open a civil rights case against Zimmerman. Thousands of demonstrators from across the country protested the jury's decision to clear Zimmerman.
Carney would not comment when asked how Obama viewed Florida's "stand-your-ground" law, which was a key element of Zimmerman's defense.

The Justice Department opened an investigation into Martin's death last year but stepped aside to allow the state prosecution to proceed.
"We are ... mindful of the pain felt by our nation surrounding the tragic, unnecessary shooting death of Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Fla., last year," said Holder.
"I want to assure you that the Justice Department will continue to act in a manner that is consistent with the facts and the law."