DOJ Pulls Out of Consent Decrees in Major Policy Shift on Police Reform

In a significant policy shift, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on May 21, 2025, its decision to withdraw from consent decrees and terminate investigations into several police departments, including those in Minneapolis and Louisville. These consent decrees were initially established to address systemic constitutional violations within these departments, particularly following the high-profile deaths of George Floyd in Minneapolis and Breonna Taylor in Louisville.

The DOJ's move also included closing investigations and retracting findings of constitutional violations in several other jurisdictions, including Phoenix, Arizona; Trenton, New Jersey; Memphis, Tennessee; Mount Vernon, New York; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and the Louisiana State Police. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon stated that the proposed consent decrees were overly broad, imposed extensive federal oversight, and were based on flawed methodologies and incomplete data. Dhillon criticized consent decrees as costly and ineffective, advocating for local-level reform instead.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other civil rights organizations strongly opposed the DOJ's actions. The ACLU of Minnesota expressed disappointment but noted the commitment of Minneapolis city officials to abide by the terms of the federal consent decree. Deepinder Mayell, Executive Director of ACLU-MN, stated, "While the ACLU of Minnesota is disappointed in the DOJ’s decision to back out of this consent decree, we are encouraged by Mayor Jacob Frey and Chief Brian O'Hara's public commitment to abide by the terms of the federal consent decree."

Maya Wiley, President and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, condemned the DOJ's decision, stating, "The announcement that the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division is not moving forward with consent decrees in several cities is appalling and further proves that the DOJ is no longer protecting our civil rights."

Despite the federal withdrawal, local officials in both Minneapolis and Louisville pledged to continue with police reforms. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Police Chief Brian O’Hara committed to following the agreement's terms, while Louisville plans to appoint an independent monitor to sustain reform efforts.

Consent decrees have been a tool used by the DOJ to enforce reforms in police departments found to have patterns of unconstitutional behavior. These court-enforceable agreements often mandate comprehensive changes in training, policies, and oversight. Critics argue that consent decrees are costly and can lead to increased crime rates, while supporters contend they are essential for ensuring accountability and rebuilding public trust.

The DOJ's decision to withdraw from these consent decrees has sparked significant concern among civil rights organizations and communities advocating for police reform. The move raises questions about the future of federal oversight in addressing systemic issues within law enforcement agencies and the balance between federal intervention and local control in implementing and sustaining police reforms.

As the nation continues to grapple with issues of police accountability and civil rights protections, the DOJ's actions underscore the ongoing debate over the most effective means to achieve meaningful and lasting police reform in the United States.