Three Democratic House committee chairs have called on government watchdogs to probe the recent use of federal force in response to protest violence.
In a letter to Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz and Homeland Security Department Inspector General Joseph Cuffari on July 19 (pdf), the chairs urged immediate investigations into the Trump administrations use of federal law enforcement officers in several cities amid protests that were sparked by the police-custody death of George Floyd, saying some of them have devolved into civil unrest that threatens the safety and livelihoods of residents.
“The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appear to have increasingly abused emergency authorities to justify the use of force against Americans exercising their right to peaceful assembly,” wrote House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), and Oversight and Reform Committee Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.).
“Reports from Oregon this week make clear that this misuse of resources and personnel remains a growing threat,” they stated in the letter. “Accordingly, we write to request an investigation by your offices into the use of federal law enforcement agencies by the Attorney General and the Acting Secretary of Homeland Security to suppress First Amendment-protected activities in Washington, D.C., Portland, and other communities across the United States.”
Meanwhile, Portlands police chief and black leaders denounced the recent violence and vandalism directed against the police precinct and area businesses by rioters on July 17, with Chief Chuck Lovell calling the actions, “not only reprehensible, but theyre evil.” Black leaders in the community criticized those responsible for acts like damaging black-owned businesses, decrying the activity as the work of “delinquents” and “terrorists.”
Over the weekend, rioters broke into a Portland Police Association building and set it on fire, according to the Portland Police Bureau.
“As the crowd was dispersed, several people in the crowd were arrested and officers were able to extinguish the fire. Portland Police did not use any CS gas,” the bureau said July 19.
President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter on July 19 that he is seeking to help Portland after months of protests and riots by sending in federal law enforcement.
“We are trying to help Portland, not hurt it,” the president wrote. “Their leadership has, for months, lost control of the anarchists and agitators. They are missing in action. We must pRead More From Source
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