Reynolds Gets Second Post as Meese Counsel

William Bradford Reynolds, the oft-criticized champion of the Reagan Administration’s civil rights policies, was appointed Monday as counselor to Atty. Gen. Edwin Meese III.

Reynolds retains his role as assistant attorney general in charge of the Justice Department’s civil rights division with the added responsibilities of being Meese’s counselor.

Reynolds, however, already has ample experience in dealing with a wide range of issues outside the Justice Department’s civil rights division, which he has headed since 1981.

Reynolds replaces T. Kenneth Cribb, who recently went to the White House as assistant to the President for domestic affairs.

Iran Arms Inquiry

As one of Meese’s closest political advisers, Reynolds was called on in November to engage in a fact-finding inquiry into U.S. arms sales to Iran. During the weekend inquiry, Reynolds discovered the now-famous memo in the files of Lt. Col. Oliver L. North, the fired National Security Council official, disclosing the diversion of Iran arms sale money to the contras in Nicaragua.

Civil rights groups have leveled a steady stream of criticism at Reynolds. He favors affirmative action in employment that relies on recruitment of minorities and women, and education and training programs. But he opposes stronger measures like hiring quotas. He also opposes mandatory student busing to achieve desegregation in schools.