Law enforcement groups gathered at the Justice Department with Mr. Sessions for the announcement on Wednesday were enthusiastic about what some saw as a chance to supplement thin budgets. In eliminating the policy in January 2015, Mr. Holder called asset forfeiture “a critical law enforcement tool when used appropriately” but said he was ending the more limited policy to protect civil liberties. But with the change in federal policy, the impact of some state laws could be limited, allowing local authorities a workaround. “If you look at any federal program, any program is going to be used improperly,” Mr. Rosenstein said.

Source: New York Times July 19, 2017 17:47 UTC