Trump to send federal forces to more 'Democrat' cities

By Steve Holland and Lisa Lambert

 

Federal law enforcement officials fire tear gas and other non lethal methods at demonstrators during a protest against racial inequality in Portland, Oregon, U.S., July 19, 2020. REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump on Monday said he would send law enforcement to more U.S. cities, as a federal crackdown on anti-racism protests in Oregon with unmarked cars and unidentified forces angered people across the country.

 

Trump, a Republican, cited New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Detroit, Baltimore and Oakland, California, as places to send federal agents, noting the cities' mayors were "liberal Democrats." Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot frequently blasts Trump on Twitter.

 

"We're sending law enforcement," Trump told reporters at the White House. "We can’t let this happen to the cities."

 

State and local leaders in Oregon, as well as members of Congress, have called for Trump to remove Department of Homeland Security secret police forces from Portland, Oregon, after videos showed unidentified federal personnel rounding up people and whisking them away in black minivans.

 

"Not only do I believe he is breaking the law, but he is also endangering the lives of Portlanders," the city's mayor, Ted Wheeler, tweeted, having previously called the federal presence "political theater" in an election year.

 

Trump, trailing in opinion polls behind Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, in June declared himself "president of law and order" and threatened to send the U.S. military into cities after sometimes violent protests and looting in the aftermath of African American George Floyd's death in police custody in Minneapolis.

 

Federal agents last week began cracking down on Portland protests against police brutality and systemic racism, using tear gas to defend federal buildings and taking some activists into custody without explanation.

 

"They grab a lot of people and jail the leaders. These are anarchists," Trump said of federal agents sent to the historically liberal city to quell often unruly protests.

 

President Donald Trump on Monday said he plans to send law enforcement personnel to some major Democratic-led U.S. cities, as a federal crackdown on anti-racism protests including the use of unmarked cars and unidentified officers in camouflage in Portland, Oregon, angers people across the country. This report produced by Jillian Kitchener.

 

Despite a national outcry over the tactics, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials on Monday said they would not back down and would not apologize.

 

The state of Oregon and the American Civil Liberties Union have sued the Trump administration for unlawfully detaining Oregon residents, and some Republicans spoke out against its tactics on Monday.

 

"There is no place for federal troops or unidentified federal agents rounding people up at will," tweeted U.S. Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky.

 

The Chicago Tribune reported that Homeland Security was making plans to deploy around 150 agents in the city this week where police defending a statue clashed with protesters on Friday.

 

The DHS did not immediately respond to a request for additional comment.

 

(Reporting by Steve Holland, Doina Chiacu and Lisa Lambert in Washington, additional reporting by Maria Caspani in New York, Deborah Bloom in Portland; Sharon Bernstein in Sacramento; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Jonathan Oatis)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-07-21

 

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2016 Republican Platform: "Federalism is a cornerstone of our constitutional system. Every violation of state sovereignty by federal officials is not merely a transgression of one unit of government against another; it is an assault on the liberties of individual Americans."

 

Weird that the NRA isn't all over this? I mean, the NRA has fear-mongered about government tyranny for years. But now that the government is acting tyrannically, the NRA is silent.

 

 

 

Edited July 21, 20205 yr by mtls2005

Explain the logic:  A pandemic that has killed more than 140,000 Americans and isn't stopped by borders is not the responsibility of the federal government; but local protests that local governments are dealing with, and don't want federal help with, are a federal responsibility.

 

Trump is making it up as he goes along, and doing a very bad job of it.

1 hour ago, webfact said:

showed unidentified federal personnel rounding up people and whisking them away in black minivans.

I thought that only happened in totalitarian countries...

Trump the would be dictator,you're fired....take them to the

firing squad. 

regards Worgeordie

It’s just donalds Friday night distraction carrying on to Monday evening it also may be a ploy to stur up enough trouble to declare martial law thereby trying to delay the election and or suppress the vote to me it’s kinda like the constitution is beeing raped by the administration it’s horrifying and disgusting November can’t come soon enough 

1 hour ago, Tug said:

It’s just donalds Friday night distraction carrying on to Monday evening it also may be a ploy to stur up enough trouble to declare martial law thereby trying to delay the election and or suppress the vote to me it’s kinda like the constitution is beeing raped by the administration it’s horrifying and disgusting November can’t come soon enough 

He is getting his loyal lieutenant Rudy to scare the people with his unhinged and reckless unfounded speculation. Just hear what this madman said on Laura I show. 

“Black Lives Matter wants to destroy law

enforcement, end bail, empty the prisons (including drug dealers as well as users), provide themselves with reparations, AND a full-time government income without the necessity of work.”

If you think what Trump is doing now is bad then have a look at the possible future. It looks bad!

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/jul/20/trump-john-yoo-lawyer-torture-waterboarding

Trump consults Bush torture lawyer on how to skirt law and rule by decree

21 minutes ago, Eric Loh said:

He is getting his loyal lieutenant Rudy to scare the people with his unhinged and reckless unfounded speculation. Just hear what this madman said on Laura I show. 

“Black Lives Matter wants to destroy law

enforcement, end bail, empty the prisons (including drug dealers as well as users), provide themselves with reparations, AND a full-time government income without the necessity of work.”

he may be a madman, but he's not necessarily wrong.  there are many groups that come under blm, all with their own set of demands.  i bet if you googled hard, you could find articles quoting various blm representatives or associates voicing each of those you listed.

 

there certainly are people calling to defund the police, end bail, close or reduce prisons, pay reparations, provide universal basic income, and more.

 

for example in a couple localities:

 

https://www.npr.org/local/305/2020/06/09/872859084/here-s-what-black-lives-matter-d-c-is-calling-for-and-where-the-city-stands

 

https://www.blmla.org/newsfeed/2020/4/16/black-los-angeles-demands-in-light-of-covid-19-and-rates-of-black-death

 

 

Edited July 21, 20205 yr by ChouDoufu

For the benefit of those who are not American, I will repeat the 1st Amendment of the US Constitution---something 45 has neither read nor understands---to point out what rights the Founders thought so critical to the new nation they put in their first written words:

 

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

 

Toss in the Posse Comitatus Act, and what is happening is a violation of both the US Constitution and subsequent enacted laws.  Those troops are traitors, and anyone who supports their acts is a traitor.

 

"All enemies, foreign and domestic"

 

That was in the oath I took and the oath all who served took. We will live it. Real patriots will live it.

 

Notice will be given.

18 minutes ago, ChouDoufu said:

if we went purely mob-rule, then electioneering would be done in california, new york and florida. 

 

You do relaize that every single election, from class clown to cheerleader captain to dog-catcher to mayor to governor to, well you get the picture, is based on a popular vote?

 

Surely that's not "mob-rule"?

 

 

Some off topic posts, troll posts and the replies have been removed. 

For all you people who aren't from my country.

 

This is what the far lefts democracy looks like !

 

  Sign holders holding BLM signs caught dissembling home made signs and using them as  spears or weapons to assault  police, that are  protecting monuments !

 

You need to watch this  press release video of    far left radicals, ambushing the unsuspecting  police! The Chicago police chief  is begging reporters to show this. Many innocent people are opposed to mayhem in the streets > So am I ! Hey dem city leaders your silence is deafening   

 

Edited July 21, 20205 yr by riclag

The "protesters" in Portland were extremely violent fanatics. Burning down a police building is closer to terrorism than to a peaceful demonstration. If the local authorities are not able or willing to protect their citizens, national forces have to fix the problem. Trump is right to react as he did.

If these camo-wearing people are unidentified and anonymous, then no one owes them anything. Anyone whom they threaten thus has a right to protect him or herself by whatever means is necessary, including deadly force, just as anyone has the right to defend him or herself against a mugger, thief or rapist.

 

There is a reason the US has rules and laws demanding any official law enforcement officers fully identify themselves, their unit, and display their names.

 

These guys are following no laws and thus, they are fair game if they threaten anyone.

 

The US is a democracy, not a totalitarian thuggery.

45 minutes ago, JustAnotherHun said:

The "protesters" in Portland were extremely violent fanatics. Burning down a police building is closer to terrorism than to a peaceful demonstration. If the local authorities are not able or willing to protect their citizens, national forces have to fix the problem. Trump is right to react as he did.

If 45 is 'right' to attack people exercising 1st Amendment rights, then he should have these camo-wearers follow the law and display unit logos and affiliations, as well as display name tags.

 

I take some comfort in having learned that if 45 refuses to accept the result of the election and does not leave, the US Military has already made contingency plans to remove him by whatever means necessary.  I assure you THOSE troops will wear the proper identifying insignias and name tags.

3 hours ago, Walker88 said:

 

Toss in the Posse Comitatus Act, and what is happening is a violation of both the US Constitution and subsequent enacted laws.  Those troops are traitors, and anyone who supports their acts is a traitor.

 

 

Ludicrous nonsense.

 

40 U.S. Code 1315, which under the Homeland Security Act of 2002 gives the department’s secretary the power to deputize other federal agents to assist the Federal Protective Service in protecting federal property, such as the courthouse in Portland gives ample authority in federal law to deploy federal troops to Portland.

 

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/17/us/politics/federal-agents-portland-arrests.html

 

So do a number of other US laws.

 

Indeed Eisenhower sent in federal troops to uphold US law at Little Rock. Just as Trump is sending in federal troops to uphold US law in Portland.

 

Excellent news that all the ANTIFA groups across the US will be rounded up. High time someone tackled this important issue.

 

 

 

3 hours ago, Walker88 said:

For the benefit of those who are not American, I will repeat the 1st Amendment of the US Constitution---something 45 has neither read nor understands---to point out what rights the Founders thought so critical to the new nation they put in their first written words:

 

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

 

Toss in the Posse Comitatus Act, and what is happening is a violation of both the US Constitution and subsequent enacted laws.  Those troops are traitors, and anyone who supports their acts is a traitor.

 

"All enemies, foreign and domestic"

 

That was in the oath I took and the oath all who served took. We will live it. Real patriots will live it.

 

Notice will be given.

 

"Peacably"??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

5 hours ago, mtls2005 said:

2016 Republican Platform: "Federalism is a cornerstone of our constitutional system. Every violation of state sovereignty by federal officials is not merely a transgression of one unit of government against another; it is an assault on the liberties of individual Americans."

 

Weird that the NRA isn't all over this? I mean, the NRA has fear-mongered about government tyranny for years. But now that the government is acting tyrannically, the NRA is silent.

 

 

 

One might suspect hypocrisy on behalf of the NRA. Even as a gun owner I despise these horrid, evil people.

3 hours ago, Walker88 said:

For the benefit of those who are not American, I will repeat the 1st Amendment of the US Constitution---something 45 has neither read nor understands---to point out what rights the Founders thought so critical to the new nation they put in their first written words:

 

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

 

Toss in the Posse Comitatus Act, and what is happening is a violation of both the US Constitution and subsequent enacted laws.  Those troops are traitors, and anyone who supports their acts is a traitor.

 

"All enemies, foreign and domestic"

 

That was in the oath I took and the oath all who served took. We will live it. Real patriots will live it.

 

Notice will be given.

1. 50 days of rioting, defacing and smashing is not peaceable assembly.

2. They are Federal officers defending Federal property and arresting offenders.

3. Posse Comitatus is not applicable.

3 hours ago, ChouDoufu said:

he may be a madman, but he's not necessarily wrong.  there are many groups that come under blm, all with their own set of demands.  i bet if you googled hard, you could find articles quoting various blm representatives or associates voicing each of those you listed.

 

there certainly are people calling to defund the police, end bail, close or reduce prisons, pay reparations, provide universal basic income, and more.

 

for example in a couple localities:

 

https://www.npr.org/local/305/2020/06/09/872859084/here-s-what-black-lives-matter-d-c-is-calling-for-and-where-the-city-stands

 

https://www.blmla.org/newsfeed/2020/4/16/black-los-angeles-demands-in-light-of-covid-19-and-rates-of-black-death

 

 

 

You make distinctions. You acknowledge that there are various groups and elements withing the BLM.

Trump just lumps it all together, and attaches each and every discreet issue to the movement as a whole.

 

Edited July 21, 20205 yr by Morch

1 hour ago, riclag said:

For all you people who aren't from my country.

 

This is what the far lefts democracy looks like !

 

  Sign holders holding BLM signs caught dissembling home made signs and using them as  spears or weapons to assault  police, that are  protecting monuments !

 

You need to watch this  press release video of    far left radicals, ambushing the unsuspecting  police! The Chicago police chief  is begging reporters to show this. Many innocent people are opposed to mayhem in the streets > So am I ! Hey dem city leaders your silence is deafening   

 

 

Just to be clear, because you've posted the clip with various comments - on this version, do you allege that all "far left" (what falls under that label?) elements or people holding such views are violent?

33 minutes ago, Walker88 said:

If 45 is 'right' to attack people exercising 1st Amendment rights, then he should have these camo-wearers follow the law and display unit logos and affiliations, as well as display name tags.

 

I take some comfort in having learned that if 45 refuses to accept the result of the election and does not leave, the US Military has already made contingency plans to remove him by whatever means necessary.  I assure you THOSE troops will wear the proper identifying insignias and name tags.

 

"....the US Military has already made contingency plans to remove him by whatever means necessary."

 

Do tell.

12 minutes ago, Pedrogaz said:

Sadly the US is not a real democracy but a corporatocracy and lately a kakistocracy. Any nation where legalised bribery is the basis of law cannot claim to be a democracy.

 

"...legalised bribery is the basis of law..."

 

Nonsense.

8 minutes ago, Morch said:

 

No.

You make distinctions. You acknowledge that there are various groups and elements withing the BLM.

Trump just lumps it all together, and attaches each and every discreet issue to the movement as a whole.

 

Not at all, Trump differentiates quite clearly, looters, rioters and anarchists.

 

 

only get to see what they want us to know. so why we have not seen any interviews from locals living there? and how many of these PROTESTER are flown in from other states/countries..

....that's what autocrats are used to do.... ???? 

An inflammatory post has been removed.

 

Baiting troll posts and the replies have been removed. 

The stable genius really knows how to win votes!Even some of his own senators are against him. They still have problems with this dictatorial action. Can see his base slipping below 30% before November.He will need some good lies to get back in the race. Even Fox News are starting to hedge their bets for post November. They still have 31/2 months before the election, I think we will see them move further away from Trump. The two disciples of Trump will still blindly follow him and give him advice on how to lose more voters. No doubt Trump,Hannity and Carlson (The three stooges) will invent some new conspiracy theory. They are to dumb to realise that after January the will need to find a new messiah. Even Moscow Mitch won't be able to save them unless he can organise a job with Putin as his propaganda writers and broadcasters.

The Rule of Law 

 

MAGA 

Trump to send federal forces law enforcement officials to more 'Democrat' cities