Lawless Cities Accountability Act of 2025

States and cities could lose all federal funds for 180+ days if the Attorney General finds they held back police

More about this bill

State and city governments could lose all federal money for at least 180 days. That would happen if the U.S. Attorney General finds they have held back their police. The bill calls these places "lawless jurisdictions" and lists four ways to qualify. One is barring police from stepping in to restore order during widespread violence or destruction. Another is pulling police out of an area they have a legal right to enter. Brief tactical pullbacks during an ongoing threat do not count. A third is cutting police funding or powers. The last is turning down federal police help while violence goes on that the place cannot stop. The Attorney General would name these places within 30 days of the law passing. After that, the list would be updated at least every three months. Each decision and the reason for it would be made public. Money would return after 180 days or once the place no longer qualifies, whichever comes later. The bill lists no programs that are exempt from the cutoff. It does not define "defunds" or "disempowers," and it sets out no appeal process.