Press Releases

Today, Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Steven Horsford (NV-04) and members of the Congressional Black Caucus issued the following statement in response to the findings of the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) investigation into the City of Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD). 

“Today, the Department of Justice released the findings of its pattern and practice investigation into the Minneapolis Police Department and the City of Minneapolis, finding that the MPD has long engaged in patterns and practices of unlawful and unconstitutional policing in violation of the First and Fourth Amendments. The DOJ’s report reveals deeply troubling practices in the MPD including, excessive and unjustifiable deadly force, unlawful discrimination against Black and Native American people in its enforcement activities, violations of people engaged in free speech, and discrimination against people with behavioral health disabilities.  

“While the findings are appalling, they are wholly unsurprising given the public outcry from residents and organizers in the City of Minneapolis and the many events that have transpired in the public view in the years leading up to, during, and since the tragic murder of George Floyd. 

“The Congressional Black Caucus has worked closely with the White House and the DOJ on ensuring implementation of President Biden’s executive order on policing and we applaud Attorney General Merrick Garland, Deputy Attorney General Vanita Gupta, and Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke for concluding this investigation with an enforceable consent decree with the City of Minneapolis. The CBC will continue to push for public safety reform in Congress because we cannot rest until we ensure that all communities are safe from discriminatory and oppressive policing.”