SAFE Cities Act
The SAFE Cities Act would compel the Attorney General, with input from the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), to identify and publicly publish a list of “anarchist jurisdictions” (state or localities) within 14 days of enactment and to refresh that list at least every 180 days. The bill sets criteria for labeling a jurisdiction as anarchist, focusing on how the jurisdiction handles violence, property destruction, policing, funding of law enforcement, and offers of federal assistance. It also requires the OMB to issue guidance within 30 days directing federal agencies to limit or disfavor funding to anarchist jurisdictions to the greatest extent allowed by law. An “anarchist jurisdiction” is defined as one that has refused to take reasonable steps to stop violence and destruction in its area. The overall aim appears to be to identify jurisdictions believed to undermine public safety and to empower federal agencies to restrict or withhold certain federal funding from them.
Key Points
- 1Publication requirement and updates: The Attorney General must publish a list of anarchist jurisdictions on the DOJ website within 14 days of enactment and update it at least every 180 days thereafter.
- 2Criteria for designation: The determination may consider whether a jurisdiction (1) prevents or restricts law enforcement from intervening to restore order during violence, (2) disempowers or restricts policing in areas or structures law enforcement would otherwise police (except for specific tactical decisions to handle ongoing threats), (3) disempowers or defunds law enforcement, or (4) unreasonably refuses federal law enforcement assistance.
- 3Federal grant implications: The Director of the OMB must issue guidance within 30 days to restrict or disfavor anarchist jurisdictions for federal grants to the maximum extent permitted by law, where the agency has discretion to do so.
- 4Definition of “anarchist jurisdiction”: A state or unit of local government that has refused to take reasonable steps to stop acts of violence and destruction of property in that jurisdiction.
- 5Title and intent: The act is named the Stop Anarchists From Endangering Cities Act or the SAFE Cities Act, signaling a focus on public safety and the relationship between local governance and federal funding.