Socialites, come get into this: The Justice Department is raising eyebrows and sparking backlash after announcing plans to back out of police reform agreements in Louisville and Minneapolis
These were the same cities that sparked a global uprising after the heartbreaking deaths of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd in 2020.
The initial agreements, known as consent decrees, were in response to the federal investigations and were focused on bringing both departments under court-supervised overhauls. Biden had finalized the Minneapolis agreement in January 2025, just before leaving office, in an attempt to clean house—to fix deep-rooted issues in law enforcement and finally hold police accountable for unconstitutional practices. However, soon after taking office, Trump secured a delay in implementing the federal agreement in Minnesota while it reviewed its legal strategy. But this Wednesday, it informed a federal court in Minnesota that it would no longer pursue the consent decree:
“After an extensive review by current Department of Justice and Civil Rights Division leadership, the United States no longer believes that the proposed consent decree would be in the public interest,” said the Minnesota motion, signed by Andrew Darlington, acting chief of the special litigation section of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “The United States will no longer prosecute this matter.”
Now, with the DOJ stepping back, it leaves folks wondering if justice was ever really the goal.
RELATED: Felony Charges Dropped for Two Former Louisville Officers Involved in Breonna Taylor Raid
The timing of this move is no coincidence. Since Donald Trump returned to office, his administration has been making big changes including the shutting down anything tied to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). They claim it’s about “merit,” but critics say it’s really about rolling back progress, especially in Black and brown communities.
[Media placement suggestion: Insert video clip or image of Brian O’Hara’s ABC News interview. Alt text: Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara speaks on DOJ police reform exit.]
Minneapolis and Louisville Ain’t Backing Down From Reform (
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Now even though the DOJ is stepping to the side, both Minneapolis and Louisville are still standing ten toes down on police reform. Local leaders in both cities say they’re sticking with the work, no matter who’s in office or what’s happening in D.C.
The consent decrees would’ve brought in independent monitors—outside watchdogs to make sure reforms actually happened. That’s real accountability. Without it, the fight becomes even harder, but the folks on the ground ain’t giving up.
