President Donald J. Trump, signed an Executive Order dated April 28, 2025, titled "Strengthening and Unleashing America’s Law Enforcement to Pursue Criminals and Protect Innocent Citizens." The order focuses on empowering state and local law enforcement by providing legal protections, increasing resources (e.g., military assets, training, and pay), revising federal oversight such as consent decrees, and holding officials accountable for obstructing law enforcement. It emphasizes proactive policing and rejects policies that the administration views as hindering public safety. Below is a concise summary of its key provisions:
- Purpose and Policy: The order aims to empower state and local law enforcement to combat crime aggressively, protect citizens, and reject policies prioritizing race- or sex-based "equity." It emphasizes supporting police, establishing best practices, defending officers from unjust accusations, and surging resources to law enforcement.
- Legal Defense for Officers: The Attorney General is directed to create a mechanism, including private-sector pro bono assistance, to provide legal resources and indemnification for officers facing unjust expenses or liabilities from actions taken in their official duties.
- Empowering
State and Local Law Enforcement: Federal resources will be maximized
to:
- Develop
best practices for aggressive policing.
- Enhance
training, pay, and benefits for officers.
- Strengthen
legal protections and seek harsher sentences for crimes against officers.
- Invest
in prison security and crime data collection.
- Within
60 days, the Attorney General must review and modify or rescind federal
consent decrees and agreements that hinder law enforcement.
- Using
National Security Assets: Within 90 days, the Attorney General and
Secretary of Defense, with input from the Secretary of Homeland Security,
will:
- Provide
excess military and national security assets to local law enforcement.
- Determine
how military assets, training, and personnel can prevent crime.
- Holding
Officials Accountable: The Attorney General will pursue legal remedies
against state and local officials who:
- Obstruct
criminal law enforcement unlawfully.
- Engage
in discriminatory practices under "diversity, equity, and
inclusion" initiatives that restrict policing or endanger citizens.
- Homeland
Security Task Forces: The Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland
Security will use existing Homeland Security Task Forces (per Executive
Order 14159) to advance this order’s objectives.
- General
Provisions: The order does not impair existing agency authority, is
subject to applicable law and appropriations, and does not create
enforceable rights against the U.S. government.
The Executive Order provides significant benefits to peace
officers through legal protections, increased pay, better training, access to
advanced equipment, and enhanced safety measures. It also strengthens Association
advocacy by aligning federal policy with their goals, boosting their bargaining
power, and offering resources to protect and support members. These measures
address key union priorities like officer safety, compensation, and operational
support.
