NLC Condemns Attorney General William Barr’s Attack on Cities

Washington, D.C. – The National League of Cities believes the effort by Attorney General William Barr to label the cities of Seattle, Portland, and New York City as anarchist jurisdictions is an irresponsible attempt to satisfy the Trump Administration’s political agenda to undermine local governments’ policing authority. The Attorney General’s flawed political evaluation that these cities or any other city, town, or village would permit anarchy, violence, and destruction is an insult to the millions of tax-paying residents of the cities that elect their local leaders.

“Local elected leaders appreciate federal partners’ help to improve policing services; however, political efforts to undermine local authority are counterproductive and potentially destructive to the policing reforms cities are trying to implement,” said Joe Buscaino, President Pro Tempore, Los Angeles City Council and President, National League of Cities. “We hope that the Department of Justice will reverse course and become serious about working with local officials to eliminate the racial bias in America’s criminal justice system.”

NLC sent a letter to President Trump asking him to rescind his Memorandum on Reviewing Federal Funding to State and Local Governments that are Permitting Anarchy, Violence, and Destruction in American Cities.