The Trump administration has issued a memo putting a stop to agreements that require reforms of police departments where a pattern of misconduct was found by the Justice Department. The memo, issued by acting Associate Attorney General Chad Mizelle, states that the new administration may wish to reconsider settlements and consent decrees negotiated and approved by the prior administration.
Mizelle ordered the Justice Department's civil rights division to not execute or finalize any settlements or consent decrees approved prior to January 20, 2025. This move has the potential to disrupt police reform efforts in Minneapolis and Louisville, Kentucky, where agreements were announced in the closing weeks of the Biden administration.
