THREAD: President Trump & AG Barr are sending additional federal resources to Chicago & Albuquerque to expand Operation Legend. DOJ regularly does surges focusing on violent crimes, including shootings & homicides. Federal gun crimes carry much stiffer penalties than state crimes
The Justice Dept. is sending 100+ investigators from FBI, DEA & ATF to Chicago, along with about 100 US Marshals (part of the regional task force there) and DHS will also send over 100 agents from HSI. More than two dozen agents from DOJ agencies are being sent to Albuquerque.
Operations like Legend aren't uncommon. DOJ carries out these ops around the country & they have for decades. Basically federal agents are sent to particular hotspots to drive down violent crime. In practicality, that means more agents on the streets & more federal resources.
The Justice Dept. has been clear about this -- this operation is different than the tactical teams they've sent to protect federal buildings/monuments in some cities, like those at the courthouse in Portland.
Operation Legend, announced earlier this month, is named after four-year-old LeGend Taliferro, who was shot & killed while he slept on June 29 in Kansas City. As part of the op, federal agents will work with state and local law enforcement officials to fight rising violent crime.
