The Justice Department said Wednesday that it is starting the process of dismissing lawsuits against police departments in Louisville, Kentucky, and Minneapolis, Minnesota, bringing an end to investigations launched during former President Joe Biden's administration.

The Justice Department is working toward dropping reform agreements with police departments in Minneapolis and Louisville, Ky., after killings of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd in those cities drew national attention.

Consent decrees have been a federal government tool for reforming police departments. What happens if the one governing the Minneapolis Police Department goes away?