General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsToday's EO appears to be preparing for declaration of martial law
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/strengthening-and-unleashing-americas-law-enforcement-to-pursue-criminals-and-protect-innocent-citizens/STRENGTHENING AND UNLEASHING AMERICAS LAW ENFORCEMENT TO PURSUE CRIMINALS AND PROTECT INNOCENT CITIZENS
Executive Orders
April 28, 2025
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.
(c) 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 orders publication in the Federal Register.
DONALD J. TRUMP
THE WHITE HOUSE,
April 28, 2025.

RandomNumbers
(18,570 posts)For anyone who believes that, I've got a bridge to sell them.
(I know that no one here at DU does. Or, no one who will be here very long.)
cbabe
(4,929 posts)Silent Type
(9,153 posts)yellow dahlia
(2,322 posts)electricmonk
(1,881 posts)"This mechanism shall include the use of private-sector pro bono assistance for such law enforcement officers."
Maru Kitteh
(30,114 posts)
Volaris
(10,839 posts)under martial law. Imagine how pissed the Barstool Sports guy and his alcoholic Maga-Bros are gonna be when there's a 9pm curfew and the bars are told they have to be closed at 8.
He can declare martial law all he wants.
Just like the pope can tell us not to use birth control.
This is America. We ignore whoever the fuck we want, and NO ONE, least of all that delusional, yam-headed daughterfucker who thinks he's been elected 3 times, is gonna change that.
Solly Mack
(94,894 posts)To say the least.
Martin68
(25,634 posts)Liberal In Texas
(15,161 posts)It's fascism. One head of the executive branch using the military for "enforcement."
The spineless repub congress could stop this nonsense.
Karasu
(1,036 posts)They got their fascist dictatorship and they're done contributing. As much as they ever really contributed to the discourse in this country.
CitizenZero
(920 posts)His EOs are diktats. They have no legal authority, but the Military and Police will follow them anyway. So Trump does not have the authority to do this, but he does have the power to do this. The only hope is that there are some (hopefully many) in the Military that will not follow illegal orders and will not act as a Police force for these fascist sons of bitches.
Response to CitizenZero (Reply #11)
TimeToGo This message was self-deleted by its author.
TimeToGo
(1,417 posts)allegorical oracle
(4,765 posts)fiercely worded EOs impose on law enforcement and the innocent people who get swept into the net.
CitizenZero
(920 posts)A clear violation of States Rights. It is way past time for an Uprising. Governors from Blue States like Pritzger need to lead the way. We can not allow the suspension of Posse Comitatus and the use of Federal Military as a Police Force in a Police State. And have no doubt about it, they are establishing a Fascist Police State. We need Military and Police that do not and will not follow these unlawful orders. We need Military and Law Enforcement that are loyal to the Constitution, not the fascist Dictator Trump.
hadEnuf
(3,160 posts)Aka, Gestapo. Your papers please.
Welcome to the police state. Great job, former America.
orangecrush
(24,406 posts)Asswipe
Figarosmom
(5,433 posts)Expect more shootings by cops of innocent black and brown people. Which will lead to protests which will bring the mitary into arresting and shooting of protestors..
Shipwack
(2,639 posts)ZDU
(331 posts)
MayReasonRule
(3,274 posts)
spanone
(138,909 posts)Shove that eo up your arse don.