Any honest retrospective of 2025 must acknowledge how deeply national politics shaped the daily work of local law enforcement. Throughout the year, political violence, immigration enforcement, domestic extremism and the rapid expansion of surveillance technology repeatedly placed police officers at the center of conflicts driven as much by ideology as by traditional crime.
Regardless of political affiliation or personal belief, agencies were forced to adapt to an environment where national policy decisions and political rhetoric produced immediate operational consequences. Protection details, protest response, threat investigations and shifting criminal justice priorities became routine responsibilities, with impacts felt most acutely at the patrol level.
The big issues of the year — political violence, immigration enforcement, domestic terrorism and surveillance technology, including drones — were repeatedly shaped by actions taken at the national level beginning on the first days of the new administration.
Political violence and domestic terrorism
2025 began in the shadow of 2024, a year marked by intense political division and violence. During the campaign season, former President Donald Trump survived two unsuccessful assassination attempts, underscoring the heightened tensions surrounding the election. The race itself shifted dramatically after President Biden withdrew and Vice President Kamala Harris entered as the Democratic nominee.
On December 24, 2024, UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson was gunned down on the streets of New York City, a crime that further amplified national concern over politically charged violence.
Violence believed to be rooted in divisive political rhetoric continued into the first hours of 2025. In New Orleans, Shamsud-Din Jabbar planted an explosive device in an ice chest on Bourbon Street, followed by a second device 30 minutes later. Before the hour ended, Jabbar used a rented Ford F-150 to breach barriers and drive into a crowded area, killing 14 people and injuring nearly 50 others before engaging police in a shootout that ended with his death.
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In April, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro awoke to flames following a firebombing of his residence by Cody Allen Balmer, 38, who was later convicted of attempted murder and terrorism-related charges. Although Balmer claimed no religious motive, Shapiro is Jewish, and the attack occurred during Passover.
In June, the homes of two Democratic state legislators were attacked. Vance Boelter, 57, was indicted on two counts of murder for killing Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman. Boelter allegedly also attacked State Senator John Hoffman and his wife and daughter, Yvette and Hope Hoffman.
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One of the most shocking assassinations of the year was the brutal murder of Charlie Kirk, an outspoken conservative, on the campus of Utah Valley University on September 10. The motive of the alleged killer, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, remains unclear. While Robinson came from a family with conservative values, investigators noted comments he made to his romantic partner, who is transitioning from male to female, expressing intolerance of what he perceived as Kirk’s “hate.”
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Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol facilities were also targeted. On July 4, an assault in Alvarado, Texas, attributed to reported anarchists, resulted in a police officer being shot and wounded. Federal prosecutors later indicted nine individuals on charges including attempted murder and arson. Three days later in McAllen, Texas, an attacker was killed after opening fire on a Border Patrol facility, injuring three officers. In September, a sniper attack in Dallas killed two detainees after shots were fired into an ICE field office.
Protest activity across the country disrupted ICE operations. The Department of Justice reported threats against ICE agents increased by more than 8,000 percent, while assaults rose by over 1,000 percent.
Local officials were not spared. A Princeton University report documented more than 300 threats against local officials nationwide. The U.S. Marshals Service investigated over 600 threats against judges, while the U.S. Capitol Police recorded approximately 14,000 threats against members of Congress.
In June, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, later determined to be in the United States illegally, threw firebombs at a group of mostly elderly protesters in Boulder, Colorado, who were raising awareness about hostages held in Gaza. Fifteen people were injured, and one later died from the attack. Additional antisemitic violence included the murder of two young Israeli workers attending a diplomatic reception in Washington, D.C., in May. Elias Rodriguez, 31, of Chicago, was arrested at the scene and reportedly chanted “Free Palestine” while in custody.
In March, the Republican Party headquarters and a Tesla showroom in Albuquerque, New Mexico, were firebombed. Jamison Wagner, 40, was federally charged in both incidents. Nationwide, at least 20 Tesla dealerships were attacked, and surveys indicated that nearly half of Tesla owners experienced vandalism, apparently linked to outrage over Elon Musk’s association with the administration. The FBI subsequently issued a nationwide domestic terrorism alert.
Two significant threats against U.S. officials in October resulted in arrests. Christopher Moynihan, 34, a pardoned January 6 defendant, was arrested in Clinton, New York, for making a terroristic threat against House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. In Minnesota, Tyler Maxon Avalos was arrested after allegedly posting a TikTok video offering a $45,000 bounty for the killing of U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Attacks on religious groups with suspected political overtones also occurred, including incidents at Antioch High School in Nashville in January, Annunciation School in Minnesota in August, and a Michigan LDS church. These attacks resulted in seven deaths and dozens of injuries.
Criminal justice issues on the national stage
Beginning with the mass pardon of defendants charged in connection with the January 6, 2021, Capitol assault and an aggressive response to immigration and border issues, the administration moved quickly to reverse criminal justice policies of the prior administration.
January
A flurry of executive orders began on “day one,” including Executive Order 14147, which stated it was U.S. policy to “identify and take appropriate action to correct past misconduct by the Federal Government related to the weaponization of law enforcement and the Intelligence Community.”
Executive Order 14157 designated certain cartels and organizations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists, laying groundwork for expanded domestic and international enforcement actions. Executive Orders 14159 and 14161 reframed illegal immigration as an imminent national security threat, expanding the role of the military in enforcement and restoring advocacy for the death penalty.
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Another sweeping executive order reversed multiple prior directives, including the 2023 establishment of the National Law Enforcement Accountability Database created in response to the George Floyd in-custody death. The database was deactivated.
The Department of Justice dismissed federal prosecutors and FBI agents associated with prior investigations, including those related to January 6 and the classified documents search at Trump’s Florida residence.
High-profile appointments followed, including Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, Deputy Director Dan Bongino, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Border Czar Tom Homan.
April
Executive Order 14288, titled Strengthening and Unleashing America’s Law Enforcement to Pursue Criminals and Protect Innocent Citizens, received comparatively little public attention despite significant implications. The order emphasized support for aggressive law enforcement, expanded training and pay, increased federal cooperation and access to military assets.
The administration also announced a FEMA review council, prompting concern that disaster response funding for overwhelmed local jurisdictions could be reduced.
June
ICE enforcement encountered violent and organized opposition in several states. In California, unrest led to the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to protect federal buildings and personnel, followed by an additional 700 Marines assigned to support the Guard.
In New York, Zohran Mamdani won the mayoral election after campaigning on major criminal justice reforms, prompting reports of significant NYPD departures.
Executive Order 14307 declared the importance of drone technology, citing its expanding role in public safety and emergency response.
July
The administration’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” was signed into law, increasing funding for ICE and border security, fully funding the 287(g) program that allows local law enforcement to enforce federal immigration law. The bill also eliminated federal income tax on overtime pay, providing potential financial relief for many officers.
Executive Order 14321, Ending Crime and Disorder on America’s Streets, sought to expand civil commitment for certain populations, redirect grant funding toward enforcement of drug use, camping and squatting prohibitions, and roll back consent decrees deemed restrictive.
August
A national “crime emergency” was declared, resulting in the deployment of 800 National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., and federal control of the Metropolitan Police Department. Similar deployments followed in Chicago, Portland and Memphis. Additional troops were sent to D.C. after the murder of West Virginia Army National Guard Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and the wounding of U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe.
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Executive Order 14342 took steps to end cashless bail.
September
The U.S. military initiated strikes against suspected drug trafficking vessels. The administration also announced a renewed focus on left-wing domestic terrorism following the Charlie Kirk assassination.
California enacted a law banning officers from wearing face coverings that obscure identity while on duty, a move critics said was aimed at ICE enforcement practices.
December
Fentanyl was declared a weapon of mass destruction. An ideologically motivated attack occurred on the campus of Brown University.
Final thoughts
An old political saying holds that all politics is local. For law enforcement, the lesson of 2025 may be sharper: all politics eventually finds its way into the patrol car.
Local law enforcement has borne the brunt of growing anti-police sentiment, shifting policy priorities and increased operational demands. Whether driven by crime trends or public perception, communities ultimately demand safety, and police are tasked with delivering it amid constant political change.
With or without an administration emphasizing aggressive enforcement, the realities of crime, fear and public pressure remain. The challenge for law enforcement leaders is preparing officers to navigate those realities professionally, lawfully and safely — regardless of who occupies the White House.
