The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued a memo to its civil rights division, directing a halt to all ongoing litigation initiated by the Biden administration and prohibiting the pursuit of new cases or settlements. The memo, reported by The Washington Post, instructs the temporary head of the division to ensure that no new complaints, motions, or statements are filed.
The freeze, effective until President Trump's nominee for DOJ leadership, Harmeet Dhillon, is confirmed by the Senate, aims to align the government's legal stance and allow new appointees to decide on future cases.
Notably, the DOJ has refrained from commenting on the matter, while also requiring notification of any consent decrees finalized in the past 90 days.
Police Reform Consent Decrees Facing Legal Challenges
In a recent development, a Kentucky judge declined to approve a police reform consent decree between the DOJ and Louisville, citing concerns over the rushed nature of the agreement following the Breonna Taylor shooting. The decree alleged racial bias in policing practices, including traffic stops and use of force.
Similarly, consent decrees in Maryland and Minnesota are undergoing legal scrutiny, with the DOJ aiming to address alleged violations of civil rights laws. In Minneapolis, an agreement to reform unconstitutional practices is pending court approval, while a lawsuit against the Maryland State Police accuses the department of discriminatory hiring practices.
The DOJ's efforts to enforce civil rights laws through consent decrees have faced pushback from some law enforcement agencies, highlighting ongoing challenges in addressing systemic issues in policing.
