Protecting Our Protesters Act of 2025
The Protecting Our Protesters Act of 2025 (H.R. 3651) would make two changes to 18 U.S.C. § 242, the federal statute that criminalizes deprivation of rights under color of law. First, it expands the scope of § 242 to explicitly cover the use of force during responses to protests, clarifying that officials acting under color of law who use force against protesters can be charged under this statute. Second, it removes the possibility of the death penalty as a punishment under § 242, meaning that in cases where death results, the maximum penalty would be life imprisonment (instead of death). The bill was introduced in the House on May 29, 2025 by Rep. Ilhan Omar (with Reps. Pramila Jayapal and Trent Kelly? No—the text shows Thompson of Mississippi as a co-sponsor) and has been referred to the Judiciary Committee.
Key Points
- 1Expands § 242 coverage to include use of force in response to protests, clarifying that such conduct can constitute deprivation of rights under color of law.
- 2Strikes the provision that allowed the death penalty as a punishment under § 242, removing the option of capital punishment for offenses under this statute.
- 3Maintains other penalties under § 242 (e.g., potential prison time for non-lethal deprivation of rights) but ensures death is no longer a possible outcome when death results.
- 4The short title of the act is the Protecting Our Protesters Act of 2025.
- 5Introduced in the House on May 29, 2025 and referred to the Judiciary Committee; sponsors listed in the bill text include Rep. Ilhan Omar and several co-sponsors.