January 25, 2021
President Biden s new executive order aims to restrict the transfer of military equipment to local police and improve federal prison conditions.
SHOW TRANSCRIPT
Throughout Joe Biden s campaign for president, he has emphasized his commitment to fighting for racial justice. Tuesday, he will take his first major actions toward that goal as president of the United States.
President Biden reportedly plans to sign several executive orders focused on racial equity, including measures like restricting the transfer of military-style equipment to local law enforcement and improving prison conditions at federal prisons.
In reaction to the 2014 racial justice protests in Ferguson, Missouri, where local police donned military gear and used tanks and tear gas against protesters, President Obama barred federal agencies from providing local cops with some military equipment, like armored vehicles and high-caliber weapons and ammunition.