Deeply concerned to see the Administration deployed BORTAC units to respond to protests in Portland.
These are the same, elite border security forces we use to go after highly-armed drug cartels and to counter smuggling –– not to respond to acts of vandalism during protests.
These are the same, elite border security forces we use to go after highly-armed drug cartels and to counter smuggling –– not to respond to acts of vandalism during protests.
As reporting based on a leaked DHS memo now reveals, they fundamentally lack proper training to respond to protests by American citizens exercising their first amendment rights.
Just as important is the way federal forces were inserted into the protests:
First, state & local law enforcement did not request or authorize fed. assistance.
Every American should be concerned that any Admin. would insert fed. forces w/o permission of state & local officials.
First, state & local law enforcement did not request or authorize fed. assistance.
Every American should be concerned that any Admin. would insert fed. forces w/o permission of state & local officials.
Second, even if federal forces had been requested, it's critical they properly and publicly identify themselves.
The use of unidentifiable federal law enforcement –– lacking insignia and identification –– is disturbing to anyone with a respect for history.
The use of unidentifiable federal law enforcement –– lacking insignia and identification –– is disturbing to anyone with a respect for history.
On 7/10 FPS told the Homeland Security Committee that visible agency ID is typically required for DHS officers & that they had checked to make sure officers were complying with this requirement when policing protests.
But it appears that requirement wasn't followed in Portland.
But it appears that requirement wasn't followed in Portland.
This insertion of federal force in Portland seems to fit into a trend of this Administration using both the military and federal forces for political reasons, rather than for the objective security needs of the United States.
We cannot allow our non-partisan security forces to become a politicized tool of any one president.
All Americans, of all political persuasions, should reject such a dangerous trend, done in our name.
All Americans, of all political persuasions, should reject such a dangerous trend, done in our name.
