Before Its Closure in October, CRS Mediated Racial and Ethnic Tensions
Editor’s Note: The following story is noteworthy due to the ongoing tensions in the United States over immigration, racial profiling, and the federal government’s use of force in American cities. Democracy and civil society are being tested. The following story is one footnote in the series of unfolding events.
January 17, 2026—One of the many cases in U.S. courts today over Trump’s policies is one about the Justice Department’s elimination of a program meant to peacefully resolve racial and ethnic tensions.
The Community Relations Service (CRS) was created by the Civil Rights Act of 1964. CRS works with city officials, clergy, and community members to facilitate dialogue. The 57-person unit was also known for defusing police-protestor conflicts. Last Fall, the Justice Department terminated the office, sending the staff reduction-in-force letters. This month, the DOJ rescinded the layoffs for 12 of the employees, but there’s no longer CRS office for them. The recission letters came after reporters for USA Today began asking DOJ about the layoffs and whether the department had plans to send mediators to diffuse mounting tensions after immigration enforcement agents killed Renee Good and shot others.
Civil Rights Groups Sue
Civil rights groups are suing the Justice Department, specifically Attorney General Pam Bondi, challenging what they say was the “unilateral and allegedly unlawful” closure of the agency by the Executive Branch.
Over a hundred civil rights and community organizations have signed onto an Amici Curiae supporting the case. They include Berkshire Resources for Integration of Diverse Groups and Education dba Multicultural Bridge, Ethical Society of Police, Haitian Support Center, Missouri Baptist Convention, NAACP, Out Accountability Project, Peacemakers Lodge, Pikes Peak Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Two Wrasslin’ Cats, and Wellspring Health Access.
In the Amici Curiae, a “friend of the court,” briefing, the groups said the dissolution of the office signals that “the federal government itself devalues peaceful dialogue as a means for resolving disputes.”
The Civil Case
The case, Ethical Society of Police et al v. Bondi et al, 25-CV-13115 (IT), is before U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani in Boston. The next hearing, a status conference with the judge and lead attorneys, is scheduled for Thursday, January 22. Registration for audio is required by January 20. (https://forms.mad.uscourts.gov/courtlist.html)
In October, the judge denied the Plaintiff’s motion for a temporary restraining order against the government.
“The court focuses on the potential harm that Plaintiffs state would occur if the RIFs proceed as scheduled. Plaintiffs have described needs and services provided by CRS in the past and argue that they ‘will have nowhere else to turn to receive these critical government
services[.]’ Pls.’ Mem. 26 [Doc. No. 2-1]. But Plaintiffs have not detailed services their organizations currently need such that the deprivation of these services while this litigation is pending would cause them irreparable injury. Plaintiffs’ showing here stands in contrast to other recent cases granting preliminary injunctions based on the alleged dismantling of agencies,” the Order said.
Advocates for Peaceful Resolution of Race-Based Discrimination
The lead Plaintiff is the Ethical Society of Police, an organization founded in 1972 in St. Louis by African-American police officers. Among other things, the organization has warned that federal immigration agents and National Guard troops deployed in cities across the country could create fear and mistrust.
Last Spring when the news first leaked about the Trump administration’s intent to close CRS, the NAACP warned that the country could witness “a surge in disputes between police departments or city leaders and marginalized communities.”
“We are disgusted — but not surprised — that Donald Trump is also planning to purge this critical office. This won’t save taxpayer dollars, this will spark chaos that will cost far more to resolve,” the NAACP said.
Case information and background: https://clearinghouse.net/case/47081/
USAT reporting on the office’s closure: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/01/14/doj-peacemaking-unit-crs-layoffs-return/88164588007/
NAACP statement: https://naacp.org/articles/naacp-calls-maintenance-community-relations-service-crs
Amici Curiae: https://www.bazelon.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-12-05-Ethical-Society-of-Police-v-Bondi-CRS-Amicus-Brief.pdf
