The Department of Justice under Attorney General Pam Bondi has closed over 23,000 criminal cases in the first six months of President Donald Trump’s administration, abandoning hundreds of investigations into terrorism, white-collar crime, drugs and other offenses, while pursuing immigration cases.
The parole of David Allen Funston, a convicted child molester, has sparked intense public reaction and renewed scrutiny of California’s elderly parole law, with critics arguing that the policy is flawed and ignores the overwhelming evidence about aging and recidivism.
President Trump touted a historic drop in crime rates during his State of the Union address, attributing it to his “aggressive” immigration policies and use of the National Guard, while critics argue that the decline is due to COVID-19 social spending and community violence prevention programs.
The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law has released a report detailing how federal funding cuts are undermining the 2003 Prison Rape Elimination Act, which has led to increased risks for incarcerated individuals, including LGBTQ+ individuals, and has resulted in the closure of the National PREA Resource Center.
Governor Jeff Landry’s “tough on crime” policies have resulted in a 78% drop in parole approvals in Louisiana, with stricter eligibility requirements and a new law banning parole for those convicted after August 2024, leading to increased prison populations and criticism from civil rights attorneys and prison reform advocates.