The new leadership at the Justice Department under President Donald Trump has implemented a freeze on civil rights litigation and indicated a potential reconsideration of police reform agreements negotiated by the previous administration, according to memos obtained by The Associated Press.
Attorneys in the Civil Rights Division have been instructed not to file new complaints, amicus briefs, or certain court papers until further notice, as per one of the memos. Another memo requires attorneys to report any settlements or consent decrees related to police reform that were finalized by the Biden administration in the last 90 days.
The possibility of revisiting agreements, including those in Louisville, Kentucky, and Minneapolis, Minnesota, has been raised. These agreements, addressing civil rights violations within police agencies, are pending approval by a judge. They were part of the 12 investigations initiated by the Civil Rights Division under Attorney General Merrick Garland.
In Minneapolis, an agreement was recently approved by the City Council to revamp police training and use-of-force policies following the murder of George Floyd in 2020. Similarly, a reform agreement was reached with Louisville after an investigation into the police shooting of Breonna Taylor and the treatment of protesters.
The memos, issued by the new chief of staff, indicate significant changes expected in the Civil Rights Division under the current administration. The division is set to be led by a conservative attorney, signaling a shift in priorities around civil rights.
During the previous Trump administration, the use of consent decrees was limited, and a similar reshaping of the department's focus on civil rights is anticipated. The duration of the current litigation freeze remains uncertain, with the memo citing the need for a unified federal stance on legal matters and the opportunity for presidential appointees to decide on new cases.
