Editor’s note: President Trump’s April 28 directive expands legal protections, reduces oversight burdens and repositions federal support to strengthen police operations. Read Police1 columnist Tim Dees’ analysis of the executive order here.
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump signed two executive orders on April 28 aimed at strengthening immigration enforcement and providing additional support to state and local law enforcement, USA Today reported.
The orders, signed on the 99th day of Trump’s second term, focus on boosting law enforcement resources — including pay raises, expanded access to military surplus equipment and free legal support for officers — while taking aggressive action against jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
“It’s quite simple: obey the law, respect the law and don’t obstruct federal immigration officials,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. “This administration is determined to enforce our immigration laws.”
The first executive order, Strengthening and unleashing America’s law enforcement to pursue criminals and protect innocent citizens, directs Attorney General Pam Bondi to supply legal assistance to officers and calls for enhanced penalties for crimes committed against law enforcement personnel. It also prioritizes increasing officer pay and expanding the size and security of prisons.
More specifically, the White House said the order instructs the attorney general to establish:
- Support for officers facing legal action: Establish a mechanism to provide legal resources and indemnification—including pro bono assistance—for officers facing unjust legal expenses related to their official duties.
- Increased investment in law enforcement: Maximize the use of federal resources to:
- Improve officer training
- Raise pay and benefits
- Strengthen legal protections
- Seek tougher sentences for crimes against officers
- Enhance prison security and capacity
- Improve uniformity in crime data reporting
- Review of federal oversight agreements: Reevaluate federal consent decrees, out-of-court agreements, and post-judgment orders involving state or local law enforcement. Modify or rescind any measures that hinder effective policing.
- Surplus military equipment: Expand the provision of surplus military assets to local law enforcement and assess their role in crime prevention.
- Improved coordination: Leverage newly established Homeland Security Task Forces to advance collaboration between federal and local agencies.
The second order, protecting American communities from criminal aliens, instructs Bondi and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to publish a list of sanctuary jurisdictions and withhold federal funding from those identified. The order also authorizes potential criminal investigations into alleged violations such as obstruction of justice and conspiracy to impede federal law enforcement.
“This is a lawless insurrection against the supremacy of Federal law,” the order states.
