Back the Blue Act of 2025

Enhanced Protection for Law Enforcement and Judicial Officers: The bill makes it unlawful to kill or attempt to kill United States judges, Federal law enforcement officers, or federally funded public safety officers (Section 2(a)(1)). It also protects former officers from prosecution based on past performance of duties (Section 2(a)(1)(B)).

Increased Penalties for Assaults: The bill establishes specific prison terms for assaults on federally funded State or local law enforcement officers depending on the severity of the injury or the use of a weapon (Section 2(b)(c)).

Expanded Firearm Authority for Officers: Sworn officers are granted authority to carry firearms while performing lawful official duties, including possession while depositing a firearm in secure storage at Federal or court facilities (Section 6(a)).

Criminalization of Flight from Prosecution: It becomes unlawful to travel in interstate or foreign commerce to avoid prosecution for killing law enforcement or public safety officials (Section 2(c)).

Aggravating Factors in Capital Cases: The killing of a law enforcement officer, prosecutor, judge, or first responder is added as a specific aggravating factor for the Federal death penalty (Section 3).

Restrictions on Habeas Corpus Relief: Limitations are placed on federal habeas corpus applications for persons in custody due to State court judgments involving the killing of a public safety officer or judge (Section 4(a)(1)). This includes the inability to consider certain sentencing claims adjudicated in State court (Section 4(a)(1)(A)).

Limitations on Legal Redress: The bill limits the ability of individuals to seek damages in certain actions. For those involved in a felony or crime of violence, courts may only award damages for necessary out-of-pocket expenditures or monetary loss (Section 5(a)).

Restrictions on Attorney's Fees: In actions involving individuals who more likely than not committed a felony or crime of violence, the bill prohibits the recovery of attorney's fees (Section 5(b)(2)).

Restrictions on Judicial Officer Liability: The bill limits injunctive relief against judicial officers to cases where a declaratory decree was violated or relief was otherwise unavailable (Section 5(a)(1)).

Federal Prosecution Requirements: Federal prosecution of assaults on State or local law enforcement officers requires specific certification by the Attorney General (Section 2(b)(d)).