Strengthening and Unleashing America’s Law Enforcement to Pursue Criminals and Protect Innocent Citizens
TLDR
This executive order directs increased support for law enforcement through legal protections, military resources, and federal intervention. It mandates legal indemnification for officers, reviews of consent decrees, provision of military assets to police, and authorizes action against officials implementing “diversity, equity, and inclusion” initiatives deemed to restrict policing. The order also calls for increased pay, enhanced training, tougher penalties for crimes against officers, expanded prison capacity, and improved data collection.
This executive order outlines a sweeping agenda to bolster state and local law enforcement.
It:
- Directs the Attorney General to provide legal resources and indemnification for officers facing legal challenges from actions taken in the line of duty, including pro bono assistance.
- Calls for maximizing federal support to law enforcement through best practices, enhanced training, increased pay and benefits, stronger legal protections, tougher penalties for crimes against officers, expanded prison capacity, and improved crime data collection.
- Orders a review and potential rollback of federal consent decrees and agreements that may “impede” law enforcement functions.
- Mandates increased provision of surplus military and national security assets to local police, and directs federal agencies to evaluate how military resources and personnel can assist in crime prevention.
- Instructs the Attorney General to pursue legal action against state and local officials who “obstruct” law enforcement or implement “diversity, equity, and inclusion” initiatives deemed to restrict police activity.
- Utilizes Homeland Security Task Forces to coordinate these objectives.
There are several potentially significant
Expansion of Police Powers and Military Support
The order’s language about “unleashing” police and surging military assets to local law enforcement signals a strong shift toward aggressive policing and the militarization of domestic police forces. Research consistently shows that aggressive policing and militarization do not reliably reduce crime and often erode public trust, increase the risk of civil rights violations, and disproportionately impact marginalized communities. The order’s approach is at odds with a growing body of evidence suggesting that community-based alternatives and oversight are more effective for public safety than punitive, militarized responses.
Legal Immunity and Indemnification for Police
The order directs the creation of mechanisms to provide legal defense and indemnification for officers facing lawsuits. However, most police officers are already indemnified by their departments or municipalities in the vast majority of cases-studies show that officers are protected in 99.98% of lawsuits against them. This provision is more symbolic than substantive, reinforcing a political message of unwavering support for police rather than addressing a real legal gap.
Rollback of Federal Oversight
By instructing the Attorney General to review and potentially rescind federal consent decrees and agreements that “impede” law enforcement, the order threatens to undermine federal oversight mechanisms designed to address systemic police misconduct. Consent decrees are typically put in place after findings of unconstitutional policing or civil rights violations, and removing them may allow problematic practices to persist unchecked.
Targeting Local Officials and “Equity” Policies
The order authorizes federal prosecution of state and local officials who “obstruct” law enforcement or implement “diversity, equity, and inclusion” initiatives that limit police activity. This language is vague and could be used to intimidate or punish local leaders pursuing police reform or oversight, raising serious concerns about federal overreach and threats to local autonomy. It also frames equity policies as inherently harmful or illegal, despite evidence that such initiatives can improve public safety and community trust.
Increased Pay, Benefits, and Data Modernization
The order’s provisions to increase pay, benefits, and training for law enforcement, as well as to modernize crime data collection, are less controversial and could contribute to professionalizing policing and improving accountability if implemented transparently and equitably. However, the broader context of the order suggests these measures are intended to support a more aggressive, less accountable model of policing.
Implications for Technology and AI
While the order does not explicitly mention artificial intelligence, its emphasis on data and modernization could pave the way for expanded use of AI tools in policing, such as predictive analytics and surveillance systems. Without robust safeguards, this could exacerbate concerns about bias and lack of accountability in law enforcement technology.
This executive order represents a significant shift toward aggressive, punitive policing, increased militarization, and reduced oversight of law enforcement. It frames equity and reform initiatives as threats to public safety and empowers the federal government to intervene against local officials pursuing such policies. While some provisions-like enhanced training and data modernization-could be positive if implemented responsibly, the overall direction of the order raises serious concerns about civil liberties, accountability, and the risk of abuse. The evidence does not support the claim that these measures will lead to safer communities; in fact, research suggests they may do the opposite.
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:
Section 1.
Purpose and Policy.
Safe communities rely on the backbone and heroism of a tough and well-equipped police force. My Administration is steadfastly committed to empowering State and local law enforcement to firmly police dangerous criminal behavior and protect innocent citizens.
When local leaders demonize law enforcement and impose legal and political handcuffs that make aggressively enforcing the law impossible, crime thrives and innocent citizens and small business owners suffer. My Administration will therefore: establish best practices at the State and local level for cities to unleash high-impact local police forces; protect and defend law enforcement officers wrongly accused and abused by State or local officials; and surge resources to officers in need. My Administration will work to ensure that law enforcement officers across America focus on ending crime, not pursuing harmful, illegal race- and sex-based “equity” policies.
The result will be a law-abiding society in which tenacious law enforcement officers protect the innocent, violations of law are not tolerated, and American communities are safely enjoyed by all their citizens again.
Sec. 2.
Legal Defense of Law Enforcement Officers_._
The Attorney General shall take all appropriate action to create a mechanism to provide legal resources and indemnification to law enforcement officers who unjustly incur expenses and liabilities for actions taken during the performance of their official duties to enforce the law. This mechanism shall include the use of private-sector pro bono assistance for such law enforcement officers.
Sec. 3.
Empowering State and Local Law Enforcement_._
(a) The Attorney General and other appropriate heads of executive departments and agencies (agencies) shall take all appropriate action to maximize the use of Federal resources to:
(i) provide new best practices to State and local law enforcement to aggressively police communities against all crimes;
(ii) expand access and improve the quality of training available to State and local law enforcement;
(iii) increase pay and benefits for law enforcement officers;
(iv) strengthen and expand legal protections for law enforcement officers;
(v) seek enhanced sentences for crimes against law enforcement officers;
(vi) promote investment in the security and capacity of prisons; and
(vii) increase the investment in and collection, distribution, and uniformity of crime data across jurisdictions.
(b) Within 60 days of the date of this order, the Attorney General shall 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.
Sec. 4.
Using National Security Assets for Law and Order.
(a) Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Attorney General and the Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security and the heads of agencies as appropriate, shall increase the provision of excess military and national security assets in local jurisdictions to assist State and local law enforcement.
(b) Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Attorney General, shall determine how military and national security assets, training, non-lethal capabilities, and personnel can most effectively be utilized to prevent crime.
Sec. 5.
Holding State and Local Officials Accountable.
The Attorney General shall pursue all necessary legal remedies and enforcement measures to enforce the rights of Americans impacted by crime and shall prioritize prosecution of any applicable violations of Federal criminal law with respect to State and local jurisdictions whose officials:
(a) willfully and unlawfully direct the obstruction of criminal law, including by directly and unlawfully prohibiting law enforcement officers from carrying out duties necessary for public safety and law enforcement; or
(b) unlawfully engage in discrimination or civil-rights violations under the guise of “diversity, equity, and inclusion” initiatives that restrict law enforcement activity or endanger citizens.
Sec. 6.
Use of Homeland Security Task Forces_._
The Attorney General and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall utilize the Homeland Security Task Forces (HSTFs) formed in accordance with Executive Order 14159 of January 20, 2025 (Protecting the American People Against Invasion) to coordinate and advance the objectives of this order.
Sec. 7.
General Provisions.
(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
i. the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
ii. the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
© This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
(d) The Department of Justice shall provide funding for this order’s publication in the Federal Register.
DONALD J. TRUMP THE WHITE HOUSE, April 28, 2025.