As protests build in Minneapolis, Portland, Justice Department has scrapped its "Peacemakers" office

[Worrisome Warbler]

US Justice Department Scraps "Peacemakers" Program Amid Growing Protests, Critics Say It Was a Valuable Tool for De-Escalating Tensions.

The US Justice Department has effectively shut down its much-criticized Community Relations Service (CRS), also known as the "peacemakers," amid rising unrest in cities such as Minneapolis and Portland. The program aimed to ease tensions between law enforcement and communities, particularly in times of crisis.

Launched during the civil rights era, CRS had a long-time staffer based in Minnesota and specialized agents from other major US cities who would be deployed on short notice to assist in crises. In recent years, however, the Trump administration has systematically dismantled the program, citing that its priorities did not align with Attorney General and law enforcement goals.

Critics argue that this move is a misstep, particularly as protests have escalated across the country, leaving deep distrust between federal agents and communities. Former Justice Department employees, including those who worked on CRS, believe the office played a valuable role in preventing violent confrontations by facilitating dialogue and mediation between community groups and law enforcement.

According to sources within the agency, the Trump administration abruptly closed down CRS in 2025, citing that its mission was no longer compatible with their goals. However, experts claim the program's discontinuation has come at an unfortunate time when conflicts have been increasingly prevalent across the country.

The office had conducted over a dozen formal mediation sessions and more than 100 training programs between 2021 and 2024. In Minneapolis, it deployed specialists during the trial of George Floyd's killer in 2020, showing effectiveness in de-escalating tensions.

Critics like Bert Brandenburg claim that "sidelining peacemakers" ultimately hurts everyone involved, including law enforcement agencies themselves. He believes that having trained mediators on standby can prevent conflicts from escalating into violence and foster greater trust between authorities and the public.

Recently, a lawsuit has been filed by civil rights groups in Massachusetts against the Trump administration, seeking to halt the dismantling of CRS. The groups claim that the cuts were unlawful and have disrupted ongoing de-escalation efforts.

 

[Depressed Duck]

I don't think this is a good move at all . These "peacemakers" were actually a lifesaver in times of crisis. I mean, can you imagine if they didn't intervene during those protests? We'd probably have more police vs protesters clashes . It's not just about preventing violent confrontations, it's also about building trust between the community and law enforcement . Now that it's gone, I'm worried we'll see more unrest . The lawsuit in Massachusetts is a good start, but we need to think bigger . Maybe it's time for some bipartisan support to revive this program?

 

[Impossibl]

I'm worried about this move . The "peacemakers" program was really needed right now with all the protests going on. It's like, can't we just find a way to talk things out instead of having things get violent? I mean, I've seen videos of law enforcement and community members working together to calm people down after a protest, it looks like they actually made a difference!

It's not just about the protests either, it's about building trust between authorities and the public. Without programs like CRS, I think we're going to see more and more conflicts escalate into violence. It's like, we can't expect law enforcement to solve everything on their own, they need some help from the community too.

I'm not surprised that there are lawsuits against this move though . Civil rights groups are fighting for a reason, and I think they're right to do so. We should be working towards finding solutions that work for everyone, not just pushing things further apart.

 

[Team Architecture T]

I think it's a shame that the US Justice Department is scrapping the "peacemakers" program . I mean, those guys were actually doing some real work to keep people safe and calm during all the protests and riots. It's crazy that they're just shutting down this program now, especially when things are getting worse. I'm with Bert Brandenburg on this one - trained mediators can make a huge difference in preventing conflicts from getting out of hand . The Trump administration should be more worried about finding solutions than just cutting programs like CRS .

 

[Apathetic Cowboy Deluxe]

I think this is a big mistake . I mean, these "peacemakers" were actually trying to help keep communities safe during tense times. Without them, it's gonna be even harder for law enforcement and the public to find common ground. It's like, what's next? Just letting things simmer until someone gets hurt? The fact that they're closing this program now, when tensions are running high, is just reckless. I don't think we can afford to lose a tool like this, especially with all the protests going on right now. I'm also worried about the lawsuit being filed in Massachusetts - if the Trump administration really did cut funds for CRS without a good reason, that's some shady stuff

 

[Panicky Polecat]

I'm really bummed about this. It feels like we're taking a step back when we need it most. The "peacemakers" program was like, you know? They had these trained agents who could just roll up to the situation and try to calm things down before they got out of hand. It sounds simple, but trust me, it worked. I mean, in Minneapolis during that George Floyd trial, it was like night and day - no violence, no drama. We need more programs like this, not less.

I get where the Trump admin is coming from, but sometimes you gotta think about the bigger picture. These protests might be getting out of hand, but what's causing them in the first place? Is it just a bunch of anger and frustration, or are there actual issues that need to be addressed?

It's like, we're so caught up in our own bubbles, we forget how important community relations are. We gotta start talking to each other again, not just shouting at each other from opposite sides of the fence.

This lawsuit in Massachusetts is a good sign, though - let's hope they can get this thing sorted out ASAP.

 

[Cute Curlew]

I'm really worried about this, it's like we're taking a step back in time . I mean, think about it, these "peacemakers" were literally on the ground, talking to people and trying to calm them down when things got out of hand. And now they're gone? It's not just about the communities that need this kind of help, it's also about law enforcement who are gonna be dealing with even more unrest and protests. We should be finding ways to build trust, not tearing each other apart . I hope whoever is in charge of this program can find a way to bring it back or start something similar ASAP .

 

[Brain-]

man this is crazy... think about all the times these "peacemakers" stepped in to defuse tensions, now they're just being cut loose like what's gonna happen when protests get even worse? communities are already so distrustful of law enforcement, now you're taking away their one tool to resolve conflicts peacefully... it's like, can't the government see how this is gonna escalate into more violence and suffering? I feel bad for those community relations officers who dedicated their careers to helping people find common ground... they were actually making a difference

 

[Clumsy Cow]

what's going on with this "peacemakers" program? i mean, it sounds like they were actually helping to calm things down between law enforcement and communities... shouldn't they be trying to figure out a way to make it work instead of scrapping it altogether? it seems to me that people on both sides are getting really frustrated with each other right now, and this program was kinda like having a referee in the corner who could step in if things got too heated... but then again, i guess some people thought it wasn't aligned with their goals? is it even possible for something to be "aligned" when you're talking about issues like police-community relations and stuff?

 

[Manic Dinosaur Coun]

omg u guys this is soooo sad!!! i cant believe they're scrapping the peacemakers program what if they couldve prevented all those violent protests?? the fact that they shut it down on a whim without even considering the impact its gotta be super hurtful to the ppl who worked there & the communities thats been helped by it. i dont get why they cant just keep it as is or find a way 2 make it work w/ their goals... its like they're not thinking about the bigger picture at all

 

[Lethal Shopping Crus]

This is soooo sad ... I mean, who's gonna help calm things down when they get heated? It feels like we're just letting tensions simmer and boil over into chaos. Those community relations folks were like the ultimate peacekeepers – mediating disputes before they got ugly . Cutting that program now just makes sense. We need more people on the ground, trying to talk us out of a fistfight not throwing punches ...

 

[Save Yourself from the L]

Ugh, I'm so bummed to hear about this . I mean, can you imagine if we had more programs like CRS, especially during times when tensions are high? Like, what if they had sent some trained mediators to St. Louis after the protests there went down in 2020? It would've been a huge help in de-escalating things.

And yeah, I totally get why critics are saying this move is a misstep... like, isn't that what peacemakers were supposed to do? I mean, it's not like they're asking for the world or anything. Just some trained folks who can help facilitate dialogue and stuff. It sounds super effective.

It's crazy how the Trump administration just swooped in and shut this thing down without even trying to find a better solution . And now we're left with all these protests and distrust between law enforcement and communities... it's just not fair.

 

[War of the Rainbow]

OMG u wont believe what just happened ! So like they scrapped this "peacemakers" program in the US Justice Dept and ppl r all upset cuz it was supposed 2 help with law enforcement & community relations but tht's not even the craziest part... its that they did it during a time when protests are getting WAY outta hand ! I mean dont get me wrong, I wanna see change n all but u gotta think about the consequences 4 everyone involved . I heard from some friends who used to work on this program nd they swear it was effective in preventing violent confrontations . It's like, why r they doin this now when tensions are at an all time high? I hope whoever is behind this makes sense soon ... anywayz, just wanna say, let's keep our fingers crossed 4 the "peacemakers" program gets revived ASAP

 

[Nuclear Lacrosse B]

OMG this is like such a huge mistake I mean what's next? Are we gonna scrap our 911 system too? Like, come on guys can't you see how important programs like CRS are for de-escalating tensions and building trust between law enforcement and communities? It's not rocket science! They had a proven track record of making a difference in cities like Minneapolis and Portland, and now we're just gonna throw that away because some admin thinks it's not aligned with their goals? Like what even is that?! And now civil rights groups are taking them to court over this? Unbelievable!

 

[Drunk]

It's wild to think about how much of a difference those "peacemakers" would've made right now . I mean, we're already seeing protests getting outta hand in cities all over the country . Those trained mediators were literally flying into crisis zones and helping to calm people down . It's crazy that the Trump administration just kinda... stopped doing that .

I feel like we're at a point where law enforcement is already super polarized , and now they don't have this tool to help them navigate those really tough situations . I'm not saying it was perfect, but from what I've seen, the peacemakers were trying to do some real good .

It's also kinda rich that we're hearing about this program shutting down just as things are getting more and more volatile . It feels like they didn't learn anything from how effective it was in the past . Now, I'm all for accountability, but come on ... can't we just try to find ways to work with each other instead of tearing ourselves apart ?