Nationwide — President Donald Trump’s new Justice Division management has paused civil rights litigation and is reviewing police reform agreements made beneath the Biden administration. The transfer indicators a significant shift within the division’s strategy to legislation enforcement oversight.
In line with the Associated Press, a memo instructed Civil Rights Division attorneys to cease submitting complaints, authorized briefs, or different court docket paperwork till additional discover. One other memo requested attorneys to report police reform settlements from the final 90 days, suggesting the administration could rethink them.
Two key agreements beneath overview are consent decrees in Minneapolis and Louisville. The Minneapolis settlement goals to reform police coaching and use-of-force insurance policies after George Floyd’s demise. The Louisville settlement seeks police reforms following Breonna Taylor’s deadly capturing. Each agreements nonetheless want judicial approval.
The memos, issued by new chief of employees Chad Mizelle, sign modifications within the Civil Rights Division. Trump appointed conservative legal professional Harmeet Dhillon to steer the division.
Throughout Trump’s first time period, the Justice Division decreased using consent decrees, a development anticipated to proceed. The freeze permits Trump’s appointees to reassess the administration’s civil rights technique and decide the division’s authorized priorities.
