(Reuters/Mario Anzuoni)President Donald Trump plans to resume the transfer of surplus weapons, vehicles and other equipment from the nation’s military to its state and local law enforcement agencies, reviving a program which was sharply curtailed by President Barack Obama two years ago. The police union has lobbied for the restoration of the program, and Trump said he would do so during his campaign. But in 1997, the program was expanded to include all law enforcement agencies, though with a preference for those with anti-drug or anti-terrorism programs. The 1033 program received new scrutiny as public records showed how much military surplus had been distributed to local police nationally. In 2016, the government began recalling previously-issued surplus gear that had been placed on the prohibited equipment list.

Source: Washington Post August 28, 2017 01:41 UTC