SAFE Cities Act

The SAFE Cities Act would require the Attorney General, working with the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), to identify and publish a list of so-called “anarchist jurisdictions.” These are states or localities that have allegedly refused to take reasonable steps to stop violence and property destruction within their borders. The initial list must be published within 14 days of enactment, with updates at least every 180 days thereafter. Additionally, the bill instructs federal agencies to restrict, to the maximum extent permitted by law, the eligibility of anarchist jurisdictions for certain federal grants, through guidance issued by the OMB. The concept hinges on specific criteria related to law enforcement practices and cooperation with federal support, aiming to pressure jurisdictions to curb violent activity and damage. In short, the act creates a dynamic, publicly published list used to influence federal funding decisions by labeling certain jurisdictions as “anarchist,” based on criteria related to policing, autonomy from federal assistance, and disruption of law enforcement, with ongoing monitoring and potential federal funding disfavor.