The U.S. Justice Department, under the Trump administration, has decided to cancel federal agreements with the police departments in Minneapolis and Louisville. These agreements were created after the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor in 2020, which led to massive protests across the country calling for racial justice and police reform.
What Were the Agreements?
Under President Joe Biden, the Justice Department had investigated several police departments and found serious issues, such as racial discrimination and excessive use of force. As a result, settlements—known as consent decrees—were prepared with cities like Minneapolis and Louisville. These agreements aimed to reform police practices under the watch of federal courts.
But these settlements had not yet been approved by judges, and the Trump administration is now pulling back from them.
Why Is the Trump Administration Making This Move?
Harmeet Dhillon, the new head of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, said that federal control over local police should be rare. She believes that cities should handle police reforms on their own, without Washington D.C. micromanaging them.
She also said that the monitoring systems in these federal agreements often last too long, cost too much, and don’t always help. According to her, “There is a lack of accountability. There is a lack of local control. And there is an industry here that is ripping off the taxpayers.”
Reaction from Police Reform Advocates
Many people who supported the original agreements are upset. They say this decision sends the wrong message, especially to Black and Brown communities that have long experienced unfair treatment by police.
Reverend Al Sharpton, a civil rights leader who supported the Floyd and Taylor families, called the decision a “moral retreat.” He said it shows that the government is ignoring serious problems in law enforcement.
Kristen Clarke, who led the Civil Rights Division under Biden, defended the investigations. She said they were done properly using real evidence, including body camera videos and reports from officers themselves.
What Happens Now in Minneapolis and Louisville?
Even though the Justice Department is walking away, both cities say they still plan to move forward with reforms.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Police Chief Brian O’Hara said they will fully follow the 169-page consent decree they signed earlier this year. The city is also working under a separate agreement with Minnesota’s Human Rights Department.
In Louisville, city leaders said they remain committed to change. Mayor Craig Greenberg announced they are looking for someone to serve as an independent monitor to keep track of police reform progress.
Louisville Police Chief Paul Humphrey added, “This is about real work, not just words on paper. We want to do better and serve our community better.”
What About Other Cities?
The Trump administration is also reviewing over a dozen other police reform agreements still in place across the U.S. If it wants to cancel those too, the Justice Department will have to convince judges to allow it. Some communities may strongly oppose such moves.