Back the Blue Act of 2025

Enhanced Protection for Law Enforcement and Judicial Officers: The bill creates new federal offenses for killing or attempting to kill United States judges, Federal law enforcement officers, and federally funded public safety officers (Sec. 2(a)). It also provides penalties for assaults on these individuals (Sec. 2(b)).

Protection for Former Officers: The law extends protections to individuals who formerly served as United States judges, Federal law enforcement officers, or federally funded public safety officers if the crime is related to their past performance of official duties (Sec. 2(a)(b)(2) and Sec. 2(b)(2)).

Self-Defense Capabilities: The bill expands the authority of sworn officers to carry firearms while performing official duties, including while depositing them in secure storage at Federal facilities (Sec. 5(a)). It also allows qualified law enforcement officers and retired officers to carry firearms and ammunition in certain civilian public access facilities (Sec. 5(g)).

Community Relationship Improvements: Through grants of up to $20,000,000 annually from 2026 through 2030, the bill aims to promote trust, transparency, and accountability between law enforcement and the communities they serve (Sec. 6(a)).

Officer Wellness: The bill encourages the implementation of practices that support officer wellness and safety, specifically through the reevaluation of officer shift hours (Sec. 6(a)(6)).

Strict Penalties and Increased Sentencing: The bill introduces severe penalties, including life imprisonment or the death penalty for killing law enforcement officers or judges (Sec. 2(a)(c)). It also establishes significant prison terms for assaults on federally funded State or local law enforcement officers (Sec. 2(b)(c)).

Limitations on Habeas Corpus Relief: For people in custody following a State court judgment for the killing of a public safety officer or judge, the bill imposes time limitations on writ of habeas corpus applications and prohibits courts from considering certain sentencing claims adjudicated in State court (Sec. 4(a)(1)).

Federal Jurisdiction Overreach: The Attorney General must certify certain conditions before the United States can prosecute assaults on State or local law enforcement officers, such as when a State lacks jurisdiction or the federal interest in addressing bias-motivated violence is unvindicated (Sec. 2(b)(d)).

Statute of Limitations Restrictions: For assaults on law enforcement officers that do not result in death, the bill limits prosecution to a 7-year window following the offense (Sec. 2(b)(e)(1)).