President Donald Trump issued an executive order April 28, 2025, that could allow state and local law enforcement officers to be tougher on crime without fear of legal ramifications.
“My Administration is steadfastly committed to empowering State and local law enforcement to firmly police dangerous criminal behavior and protect innocent citizens,” the “Strengthening and Unleashing America's Law Enforcement to Pursue Criminals and Protect Innocent Citizens" order says.
Trump orders the attorney general to find ways to provide legal defense resources and indemnification for law enforcement officers sued over actions taken on duty. The resources could include pro bono legal assistance.
He also orders the attorney general to review all ongoing consent decrees, "out-of-court agreements, and post-judgment orders to which a State or local law enforcement agency is a party and modify, rescind, or move to conclude such measures that unduly impede the performance of law enforcement functions."
Other presidential directions in the order include:
• Providing new best practices to State and local law enforcement to aggressively police communities against all crimes;
• Expanding access and improving the quality of training available to State and local law enforcement;
• Increasing pay and benefits for law enforcement officers;
• Strengthening and expanding legal protections for law enforcement officers;
• Enhancing sentences for crimes against law enforcement officers;
• Improving prison security;
• Investing in the collection, distribution, and uniformity of crime data across jurisdictions.
Trump also ordered the attorney general to “review all ongoing Federal consent decrees, out-of-court agreements, and post-judgment orders to which a State or local law enforcement agency is a party and modify, rescind, or move to conclude such measures that unduly impede the performance of law enforcement functions.”
Another element of the order commands the attorney general and the secretary of defense to consult with the secretary of Homeland Security over providing excess military and national security assets to local and state agencies.
Trump also orders the secretary of defense to consult with the attorney general and determine how the military can assist state and local law enforcement with training, non-lethal capabilities, and personnel.
