WASHINGTON (AP) — With Congress deadlocked over how to address racism and the excessive use of force, President Joe Biden plans to sign an executive order on policing on Wednesday, the second anniversary of the death of George Floyd, according to three people fa
WASHINGTON (AP) — With Congress deadlocked over how to address racism and the excessive use of force, President Joe Biden plans to sign an executive order on policing on Wednesday, the second anniversary of The death of George Floyd, according to three people familiar with the matter.
The decision reflects Biden’s struggle to use his office’s limited powers to advance his campaign promises, as well as his attempt to strike a balance between police and civil rights groups at a time of growing concern over crime overshadow calls for reform.
The order would require federal law enforcement to review and revise use-of-force policies, and restrict the flow of surplus military equipment to local police.
In addition, it would encourage limitations on chokeholds and no-knock warrants by attaching conditions to federal funding.
The people who described the order spoke on condition of anonymity ahead of any public announcement, which is expected the first day after Biden returns from his first trip to Asia as president.
He is expected to appear alongside relatives of Floyd, whose killing by Minneapolis police sparked nationwide protests.
It was the largest series of protests in American history, occurring amid coronavirus shutdowns and President Donald Trump’s re-election campaign.
However, turning the initial outcry into political change has proven difficult.
When four officers were convicted last year of killing Floyd, Biden urged Congress to pass legislation to reform police before the anniversary of his death.
The guilty verdict was “not enough,” he said, and “we can’t stop there.”
However, no legislation has been passedand bipartisan talks dragged on and then broke down.
The White House ultimately decided to move forward with executive actions rather than wait for Congress.
In September, the Justice Department restricted federal agents’ use of no-knock warrants — which allow law enforcement officers to enter a home without announcing their presence — and updated updated its policy to prohibit officers from using chokeholds in most circumstances.
But extending those rules to local police is more difficult, and White House officials have spent months negotiating with civil rights groups and police organizations.
The resulting set of policies is less extensive than originally anticipated, not to mention the one-year delay.
“We know very well that an executive order cannot solve the American police crisis in the same way that Congress has the ability to do, but we must do everything we can,” the president said. the NAACP, Derrick Johnson.
Mike Balsamo, Zeke Miller and Chris Megerian, Associated Press