Trump Administration Halted Lawsuits Targeting Civil Rights Abuses of Prisoners and Mentally Ill People

The Trump administration has halted litigation against Louisiana and South Carolina concerning civil rights abuses. The Biden administration had filed these lawsuits after the Department of Justice found that both states failed to correct violations regarding prisoner release dates and the treatment of mentally ill individuals. Federal judges temporarily suspended the cases at the states' request, with the DOJ's support. Civil rights lawyers view this as a broader retreat from the DOJ's mission to protect vulnerable populations. The unit responsible for these cases has seen a significant reduction in lawyers since President Trump took office. This exodus is attributed to reassignments, resignations in protest, or seeking new employment. These departures could impede the DOJ's ability to address issues like housing discrimination and police misconduct. Sources suggest Trump appointees favor out-of-court settlements over consent decrees, which offer greater oversight. Louisiana's prison system has been accused of holding thousands of prisoners beyond their release dates due to systemic communication failures between agencies. South Carolina is accused of institutionalizing thousands of mentally ill individuals in restrictive group homes instead of providing community-based services. Despite claims of reform, evidence suggests the problems in Louisiana persist, and skepticism remains regarding South Carolina's commitment to community-based care.