Senator Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) has sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi requesting an update on the Department of Justice’s review of consent decrees, including the one involving the City of Cleveland. Consent decrees are agreements that require police departments to make reforms under federal oversight.
In his letter, Senator Moreno referenced his previous correspondence from February 5, 2025, where he urged Attorney General Bondi to reassess these agreements across the country and identify other cities affected by them.
Moreno highlighted recent actions taken by President Trump and the Department of Justice following Executive Order 14288, which focuses on supporting law enforcement agencies in their efforts to address crime and protect citizens. He noted that several cities—including Louisville, Minneapolis, Norfolk, New Orleans, and Seattle—have seen consent decrees end with assistance from the DOJ.
“President Trump and the Department of Justice are finally freeing police departments nationwide from the shackles of costly consent decrees that prohibit law enforcement officers from doing their jobs and protecting American citizens,” wrote Senator Moreno. “These consent decrees have only lined the pockets of out-of-state grift attorneys at the complete detriment of taxpayers and American cities.”
Moreno also mentioned filing a bar complaint in March 2025 against Cleveland’s consent decree monitor for alleged unethical behavior. The monitor resigned in August 2025.
The senator concluded his letter by asking for an update on remaining police consent decrees within ten business days.
