Three Democratic House committee chairs have called on government watchdogs to probe the recent use of federal force to quell protest violence.
In a letter to Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz and Homeland Security Department Inspector General Joseph Cuffari on Sunday (pdf) the chairs urged immediate investigations into the Trump administration’s 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. 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,” they stated in the letter.
Meanwhile, Portland’s police chief and black leaders denounced the recent violence and vandalism of the police precinct and area businesses by rioters on Friday, with Chief Chuck Lovell calling the actions “not only reprehensible, but they’re 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.”
https://www.theepochtimes.com/house-democrats-call-for-watchdogs-to-probe-federal-force-against-civil-unrest_3430739.html