Outrage Follows Trump’s DOJ Recommendation of Minimal Prison Time for Cop in Breonna Taylor Raid, Leaving Mother Devastated

Tensions are escalating following the Trump administration's Justice Department's recommendation of merely one day in prison for Brett Hankison, a Louisville officer whose actions resulted in Breonna Taylor's tragic death during a flawed no-knock raid in March 2020. Hankison was convicted last year for infringing upon Taylor’s civil rights when he fired indiscriminately into her residence. Taylor, 26, was not the target; police were searching for her ex-boyfriend, who was absent. Her partner, Kenneth Walker III, mistaken for intruders, fired back, leading to a devastating cascade of gunfire that ultimately claimed Taylor's life. The DOJ expressed skepticism regarding Hankison's prosecution and deemed the recommended prison term “excessive.” While a pre-sentence report suggested an 11 to 14-year term, the DOJ insisted that such sentencing should be significantly lowered. Civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump, representing Taylor’s family, condemned this recommendation as a disservice to justice. The family seeks equitable sentencing that honors the jury’s decision while holding Hankison accountable for his reckless actions. Sentencing is set for July 21, 2025.