Police Power and Public Pushback

The upcoming State of the Union will bring to light how a president’s stance on policing has shaped law‑enforcement actions across the country. In early January, federal agents shot two Americans in Minneapolis during a busy street scene, sparking outrage. Their tactics—pushing crowds, spraying pepper gas, and detaining both citizens and legal immigrants—have become a hallmark of the administration’s approach. Local leaders in Minneapolis, such as Mayor Jacob Frey and Police Chief Brian O’Hara, have taken a stand for reform. Meanwhile, states like California and Illinois have filed lawsuits, and state legislatures are drafting bills to curb federal overreach. Democratic senators even propose reallocating ICE money to expand local police forces by 200, 000 officers. It is tempting to see the narrative as “federal bad, state good, ” but that view ignores how many more officers operate locally. With over 600, 000 sworn police nationwide and only about 30, 000 federal agents, local forces are far more likely to use force. From 2013 to 2025, state and local police have killed more than 14, 000 people—over thirty times the number of federal officer‑involved deaths in that period.The administration’s rhetoric often justifies false claims about violent encounters, emboldening local officers who may ignore civil‑rights laws. Traditionally, the Department of Justice has stepped in when police or prisons routinely violate constitutional rights. In that role, attorneys have negotiated reforms and monitored their implementation. After taking office, the president signed an executive order titled “Unleashing America’s Law Enforcement, ” demanding a quick review of all DOJ consent decrees with local agencies. Within weeks, new leadership shut down investigations and reversed findings on many civil‑rights cases. Despite this setback, some local governments—especially in Minneapolis—remain committed to reform. Public pressure after the 2020 death of George Floyd forced a new police chief into office with a clear mandate to change the system. Similar incidents across the country have pushed for federal oversight, even prompting a former president to sign an executive order on police reform. Today, cracks appear in the hard‑line stance, driven by fresh protests over unjust killings. Yet these changes come only after violence erupts; proactive accountability is still lacking. Both federal and local forces must be held to the same standards they are meant to protect. The current administration’s push against civil liberties calls for vigilant oversight from all levels of government. Only through collective responsibility can the promise of safety be restored.