Protecting Our Protesters Act of 2025

This bill clarifies federal civil rights law to make sure it clearly covers the use of force by government officials during responses to protests. It changes a key criminal law so that using force at a protest, when it violates someone’s rights, is plainly included and can be punished under federal law.

Key points:

• Who is affected: Law enforcement and other officials acting under government authority, as well as people attending protests.
• What changes: The law is updated to state that “use of force during a response to a protest” counts under the federal crime of depriving someone of their rights, making accountability clearer in protest situations.
• Why it matters: It aims to protect protesters and communities by removing doubt that abusive force at protests can be charged under federal civil rights law.