Minneapolis Can Not Afford to Go Backwards on Police ReforM

The decision by the Trump administration to abandon the federal consent decree for policing reform in Minneapolis is both disgraceful and dangerous. With the stroke of a pen, this administration is attempting to undo years of hard-fought progress toward public safety, accountability, and justice in our city. Let’s be clear: this decision is not about what's in the best interest of Minneapolis—it’s about political theater and rolling back civil rights protections nationwide.

The federal consent decree was born from the tragic murder of George Floyd. It was crafted through community input and a Department of Justice investigation, revealing longstanding patterns of unconstitutional policing. To walk away now, just days before the fifth anniversary of Mr. Floyd’s death, is a slap in the face to his memory and to the countless Minneapolis residents who have demanded meaningful change.

While this federal retreat is disappointing, Minneapolis is not turning back. The state-level consent decree remains firmly in place, and as mayor, I will work relentlessly to ensure that those reforms are implemented with urgency, transparency, and community involvement. We cannot and will not allow political interference from Washington to dictate how we protect and serve our people.

This election is about the future of justice in Minneapolis. I stand with all those who believe public safety and civil rights must go hand in hand. We will move forward—because the people of Minneapolis deserve nothing less.