The Justice Department under President Donald Trump has initiated significant changes in civil rights enforcement, including a halt on litigation and potential reconsideration of agreements to reform police practices. According to memos obtained by The Associated Press, attorneys in the Civil Rights Division have been instructed not to file new complaints or court documents “until further notice.” This “litigation freeze” aims to ensure “the federal government speaks with one voice” and gives Trump appointees the opportunity to evaluate ongoing cases.
Another memo, authored by new chief of staff Chad Mizelle, directed attorneys to review settlements or consent decrees finalized by the Biden administration in the past 90 days. The memo raises the possibility of abandoning two prominent agreements: one in Louisville, Kentucky, and the other in Minneapolis, Minnesota. These agreements, stemming from investigations into civil rights violations, require judicial approval to proceed.
The Louisville agreement was prompted by the 2020 fatal police shooting of Breonna Taylor and the treatment of protesters, while the Minneapolis agreement was developed following the murder of George Floyd in 2020. Both cases aimed to overhaul police training and use-of-force policies. Mizelle’s memo suggests these reforms may be reconsidered under the Trump administration’s priorities.
Trump’s pick to lead the Civil Rights Division, Harmeet Dhillon, is a prominent conservative attorney who previously ran for Republican National Committee chair. Under Trump’s earlier administration, the Justice Department had significantly curtailed the use of consent decrees, signaling a potential shift in priorities for civil rights enforcement.
The memo indicates an intent to reshape the Justice Department’s approach, aligning it with Trump’s policy vision. While it remains unclear how long the litigation freeze will last, it is evident that significant changes are underway. As the memo stated, these measures are designed to “ensure that the President’s appointees or designees have the opportunity to decide whether to initiate new cases.”
Link: US News
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