In January, the Trump Justice Department ordered a freeze on major civil rights litigation, including police reform cases. This sudden halt disrupted ongoing efforts in cities like Minneapolis and Louisville, which were on the brink of entering consent decrees following public outcry over police violence. However, a broader analysis by ProPublica shows that this pause affects reform efforts in at least eight other U.S. cities where systemic policing issues had already been formally identified by the DOJ.
The Justice Department, during Biden’s presidency, had documented rampant misconduct across various police departments, including unjustified killings, excessive force, racial discrimination, and abuse of authority. These findings often serve as a precursor to court-enforced reform. But with the new pause, the possibility of federal intervention through consent decrees has been indefinitely suspended, raising serious concerns among civil rights advocates.
Without federal oversight, local governments are now left to voluntarily enact reforms — a scenario experts say often leads to inadequate change, especially in places with deeply rooted patterns of abuse. Cliff Johnson of the MacArthur Justice Center expressed skepticism about municipalities taking accountability on their own, citing a prevailing attitude aligned with the Trump administration’s rollback of federal policing reform.
Local Officials Resist or Stall Reforms Despite DOJ Findings of Systemic Police Misconduct
In Louisiana, officials pushed back hard against the DOJ’s report, which was triggered by the 2019 death of Ronald Greene in state police custody. Greene was brutally mistreated by officers who then misrepresented his death. The DOJ found this incident to reflect a pattern of abuse, but state officials dismissed the report as politically motivated, signaling resistance to any imposed reform.
Trump-Era DOJ Halts Police Reform Nationwide, Leaving Cities to Struggle with Systemic Misconduct Alone
In Lexington, Mississippi, a small town with a troubled police department, residents were reportedly too afraid to speak to federal investigators. The DOJ found evidence of routine civil rights violations, but local leadership has yet to take meaningful action. Advocates hope upcoming elections might bring in officials willing to address the systemic issues identified.
Mount Vernon’s police department was also found to use excessive force and conduct illegal searches, especially targeting Black residents. Despite public concern and advocacy efforts, there has been little movement on reform. City officials have remained vague, and some community leaders express frustration over what they see as symbolic rather than substantive responses to the DOJ’s report.
Cities Respond Unevenly to DOJ Police Findings Amid Uncertainty Over Federal Reform Support
In Phoenix, the DOJ flagged excessive force and discriminatory practices by police, particularly against marginalized communities and the homeless. While the city council has passed some reform measures like expanded body camera use, city officials and police union leaders have given conflicting responses — some dismissing the federal investigation entirely while others acknowledge its seriousness.
Oklahoma City and Memphis have initiated minor reforms in response to DOJ findings. Oklahoma City is funding mental health crisis units to reduce police interactions with vulnerable populations, while Memphis formed a reform task force after the DOJ confirmed unlawful policing practices. However, the long-term effectiveness of these efforts remains uncertain without federal enforcement.
In Trenton, New Jersey, where the DOJ found excessive force and illegal stops, city council member Jasi Edwards is pushing for a civilian complaint review board. Yet the police and the mayor’s office oppose the idea, citing costs and questioning the necessity. Officials downplayed the DOJ’s conclusions, calling them an inaccurate portrayal of their department.
Worcester, Massachusetts, stands out as a city taking tangible steps in response to DOJ findings. The police chief released a detailed reform proposal, including curbs on K-9 use and changes in prostitution-related operations. Community advocates cautiously praised the effort, viewing it as a hopeful sign of accountability in a time when federal support for police reform is uncertain.
