National Police Association Endorses Lawless Cities Accountability Act

Legislation would withhold federal funds from jurisdictions that fail to maintain order during unrest

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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The National Police Association (NPA) has endorsed the Lawless Cities Accountability Act of 2025, a bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives that would withhold federal funds from state and local jurisdictions that fail to maintain law and order during periods of unrest. The bill, sponsored by Reps. Nancy Mace, Brandon Gill, and Tony Wied, would allow the U.S. Attorney General to designate a jurisdiction as "lawless" if it orders police to stand down, removes officers from strategic areas, defunds police agencies, or refuses federal assistance to end widespread violence.

Why it matters

The NPA believes that state and local officials have an obligation to restore law and order when chaos breaks out in a community, and that jurisdictions unwilling to fulfill this basic duty should not be rewarded with federal tax dollars. The Lawless Cities Accountability Act aims to ensure that administrations failing to uphold the rule of law will not be funded by American taxpayers.

The details

The Lawless Cities Accountability Act would authorize the U.S. Attorney General to designate a jurisdiction as "lawless" if it orders law enforcement to stand down during unrest, removes officers from strategic areas, defunds or disenfranchises police agencies, or refuses federal assistance to end widespread violence. Any jurisdiction deemed "lawless" would cease to receive federal funds, including salaries and grants, for at least 180 days or until peace is restored.

  • The Lawless Cities Accountability Act of 2025 (H.R. 3920) was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2025.
  • The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the House Judiciary Committee for deliberation.

The players

National Police Association (NPA)

A nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting law enforcement through advocacy, education, and the courts.

Rep. Nancy Mace

The U.S. Representative for South Carolina's 1st congressional district and the sponsor of the Lawless Cities Accountability Act.

Rep. Brandon Gill

The U.S. Representative for Texas's 26th congressional district and an original co-sponsor of the Lawless Cities Accountability Act.

Rep. Tony Wied

The U.S. Representative for Wisconsin's 8th congressional district and an original co-sponsor of the Lawless Cities Accountability Act.

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What they’re saying

“When pandemonium breaks out in a community, state and local officials are obligated to restore law and order. Achieving this state requires fostering positive partnerships with the police, not working to limit or remove their ability to enforce the law. Jurisdictions unwilling to fulfill this basic obligation should not be rewarded with federal funds.”

— Paula Fitzsimmons, Legislative Director, National Police Association (prnewswire.com)

“The Lawless Cities Accountability Act of 2025 will ensure that administrations failing to uphold the law will not be rewarded with our hard-earned tax dollars.”

— Paula Fitzsimmons, Legislative Director, National Police Association (prnewswire.com)

What’s next

The Lawless Cities Accountability Act of 2025 has been referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the House Judiciary Committee for deliberation.

The takeaway

This legislation aims to hold state and local officials accountable for maintaining law and order in their communities, with the threat of withholding federal funds from jurisdictions that fail to do so. The National Police Association's endorsement highlights the growing concerns around the impact of unrest and the perceived inability or unwillingness of some local governments to address it.