And now, the Justice Department is directly engaged in the talks to help resolve the stalemate and ease the path for a sweeping policing deal to be reached on Capitol Hill, according to several people familiar with the matter. Scott was not among the lawmakers seeking guidance from the Justice Department and has made clear the issue remains a red line for him. One person familiar with the matter told CNN that Democratic lawmakers sought technical assistance from the Justice Department on prosecuting police misconduct. While the issue of qualified immunity is still under discussion by the Hill negotiators, the Justice Department is exploring whether it can issue executive guidance on criminal prosecution, the sources added. But Scott said talks would continue as long as they need to, downplaying the May 25 deadline.

Source: CNN May 11, 2021 19:41 UTC