Federal court documents filed Wednesday morning show that the U.S. Attorney’s Office has filed a motion to dismiss a case against the City of Minneapolis, stating that it no longer believes the proposed consent decree is in the public interest.
According to the motion, the United States does not wish to pursue this action and “withdraws its support, endorsement, and concurrence in the joint motion for settlement approval.” In addition, the motion calls for a “comprehensive review” by the leadership of the Justice Department’s current Civil Rights Division.
The consent decree is part of an agreement outlining comprehensive reforms for the Minneapolis police force. A two-year Justice Department investigation following the killing of George Floyd concluded that Minneapolis police engaged in racist and abusive behavior that violated residents’ civil rights.
A federal judge has yet to decide whether to dismiss the case or allow it to proceed. You can read the full request to the court below.
ABC News reported that the U.S. Department of Justice would also file a motion to dismiss the police reform agreements with the city of Louisville, Kentucky.
In March, a federal judge granted the U.S. Department of Justice’s request to postpone the consent decree case against the city of Minneapolis for another month, the second 30-day stay. At the time, federal lawyers argued that no hearings had been scheduled for two pending cases and that extending the moratorium would “not significantly prejudice” the city or the outside groups that had requested their participation. Communities United Against Police Brutality filed to become a friend of the court, and the Minneapolis police officers’ union also filed a request to intervene.
Minneapolis City Attorney Kristin Anderson reacted strongly at the time, saying the new leadership at the Department of Justice had had enough time to “get up to speed.”
Minnesota maintains that its consent decree will remain in effect, even if the federal consent decree is not. Shortly after the court documents were filed Wednesday, the state Department of Human Rights issued the following statement regarding the decision:
While the Department of Justice rescinds its federal consent decree nearly five years after the murder of George Floyd, the consent order from our department and the state court remains unchanged. Under the agreement with the state, the city and the Minneapolis police must make fundamental changes to address race-based policing. The enormous work ahead for the city, including the Minneapolis police, cannot be understated, and our department will be there every step of the way.
Rebecca Lucero, Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Rights
“We’re going to do it anyway,” Minneapolis city leaders said at a press conference Wednesday regarding the approval.
Mayor Jacob Frey and Police Chief Brian O’Hara affirmed that the city is committed to police reform, despite the federal government’s decision to block the measure.
Fry added that the city would respond to the decision later Wednesday.
Local community leaders responded to the news at their own press conference.
The press conference can be viewed in the media player below:
Hennepin County District Attorney Mary Moriarty made her statement Wednesday, issuing the following statement:
It is not surprising that the Trump administration is abandoning the federal consent decree. This administration systematically violates constitutional and civil rights and is willing to sacrifice public safety for political gain. It is especially reprehensible that you are abandoning this consent decree on the eve of the anniversary of George Floyd’s murder.
The federal government implemented this consent decree to eliminate systematic violations of the Constitution and to end the violence that frequently occurred, particularly against Black people. This should be a goal for every elected official. Police reform is not an attack on the police, but a necessary step to ensure the protection and safety of people.
Fortunately, our enforceable agreement with the state courts remains in place, and my office is committed to ensuring the safety of every Hennepin County resident and protecting their constitutional and civil rights.