We are pleased the Department of Justice Inspector General Horowitz and Department of Homeland Security Inspector General Cuffari each announced
an investigation into the legal authorities used to justify the Trump Administration’s decision to deploy federal law enforcement to suppress, teargas, and beat peaceful protestors and American citizens exercising their First Amendment rights.
These investigations are critically important as the President and his chief enablers, including the Attorney General and Acting Homeland Security Secretary, have announced plans to send federal law enforcement authorities to additional cities in the coming days.
Many of these federal agents are dressed as soldiers, driving unmarked vehicles and refusing to identify themselves or their agencies. They have occupied the streets of American cities against the express wishes of state and local officials.
Nearly everywhere they have deployed, their presence has increased tensions and caused more confrontation between demonstrators and police. And they have done all of this on the flimsiest of legal pretext.
