Protect and Serve Act of 2026

The Protect and Serve Act of 2026 creates a new federal crime for willfully attempting to kill a law enforcement officer solely because of their status, provided the act involves interstate travel, commerce, weapons, or affects economic activity. This law applies to both state and federal officers and mandates that any federal prosecution must be certified by the Attorney General, who must determine if state charges were insufficient or if federal intervention serves the public interest. The bill defines a law enforcement officer as anyone authorized to prevent, detect, or investigate crimes, or to detain individuals, and sets specific prison terms ranging from years to life depending on whether the attempt results in serious bodily injury.