President Trump is planning to roll back another one of former President Obama’s executive orders that kept excess military equipment from going to police departments.
USA Today reported Sunday documents show Trump would allow armored vehicles, large-caliber weapons, ammunitions and other equipment to go to police departments that request it through a federal program. Obama had stopped the program in the wake of the protests in Ferguson, Mo. Attorney General Jeff Sessions is scheduled to make a criminal justice address on Monday to the Fraternal Order of Police. The report speculates he may be outlining the program there.
The report stated Trump’s order would restore “the full scope of a longstanding program for recycling surplus, lifesaving gear from the Department of Defense, along with restoring the full scope of grants used to purchase this type of equipment from other sources,” according to a document obtained by USA Today.
Obama stopped the program after the protests in Ferguson and the subsequent police response. He said the police using military equipment against protesters made it look like the police were an “occupying force” on city streets.
