Thu Jul 17 21:22:25 UTC 2025: **Trump DOJ Seeks Minimal Sentence in Breonna Taylor Case, Sparks Outrage**
**Washington D.C.** – In a controversial move, the Justice Department under President Donald Trump is seeking a drastically reduced sentence for former police officer Brett Hankison, convicted of violating Breonna Taylor’s civil rights. The DOJ is requesting a single day in prison plus three years of supervised release, a stark contrast to the potential life sentence Hankison faces.
Hankison was found guilty in November 2024 of using excessive force during the raid that resulted in Taylor’s death in March 2020. However, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, a Trump appointee, argued that Hankison’s lack of prior criminal history and the fact that his bullets didn’t directly kill Taylor warrant the lenient sentence.
The recommendation has drawn sharp criticism, with Representative Morgan McGarvey calling it “morally reprehensible” and an insult to Taylor’s life. Civil rights lawyers representing the Taylor family denounced the recommendation as a “farce” and a betrayal of the jury’s decision. They argue that it sets a dangerous precedent, suggesting that officers who violate the civil rights of Black Americans will face little to no consequences.
Breonna Taylor’s death, along with other high-profile cases of police violence against Black individuals, sparked nationwide protests and calls for police reform. While the Biden administration initiated investigations and agreements with police departments, the Trump administration has since rolled back these efforts, including one with the Louisville Metro Police Department.
Dhillon defended the recommendation, acknowledging the jury’s verdict but highlighting Hankison’s acquittal on state charges and the fact that he didn’t fire the fatal shot. The judge will ultimately decide Hankison’s sentence.
First Piper 