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Trump’s Department of Justice Asks for a 1-Day Sentence for Ex-Cop Convicted in Killing of Breonna Taylor

July 21, 2025

The Trump Justice Department, through Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, has requested a one-day sentence for former Louisville police officer Brett Hankison who was convicted of violating Breonna Taylor's civil rights during a fatal 2020 "no knock" warrant raid. Taylor, a 26-year-old emergency room technician, was killed in her apartment by police who were searching for a drug dealer, making her death a pivotal case in the Black Lives Matter movement. Judge Rebecca Grady Jennings will consider this sentencing recommendation on July 21, which includes one day in prison, time served, and three years of supervised release.

Who is affected

  • Breonna Taylor's family
  • Brett Hankison, the former Louisville Metro Police Department Officer
  • Black communities concerned about police accountability
  • Louisville residents
  • Supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement

What action is being taken

  • Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon is requesting a one-day prison sentence for Brett Hankison
  • Judge Rebecca Grady Jennings is considering the sentence recommendation on Monday, July 21
  • The Trump Justice Department is pushing for time served plus one day in prison with three years of supervised release
  • The Trump Administration is working to reverse decisions made during the Biden Administration regarding race, police brutality, and justice reform

Why it matters

  • The case represents a significant incident referenced by the Black Lives Matter movement
  • A minimal sentence would continue the trend of police officers facing little to no punishment for the deaths of Black individuals
  • It reflects the ongoing tensions around police accountability and racial justice in America
  • The case highlights differing approaches to civil rights enforcement between presidential administrations
  • The incident led to questions about police policy in Louisville, particularly regarding "no knock" warrants

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint