All hell has broken loose
In recent days, disturbing reports and videos have emerged from Portland, Oregon, where unidentified, camouflaged thugs have been taking protesters into custody and removing them via unmarked rental cars to undisclosed locations. Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf confirmed they were deployed at his behest. Trump’s America 2020 is one in which the administration is openly defying civil rights and the rule of law along with his cabinet members and Attorney General William Barr.
As we mourn the loss of John Lewis, we should also reflect on how tragic this state of affairs is to our civil liberties. But it gets worse. According to Talking Points Memo, Acting Deputy of Homeland Security Ken Cuccinelli indicated the administration plans to roll out its jackbooted thuggery nationwide. Cuccinelli stated in an interview with NPR:
Well, we are – we welcome – the more investigations, the better. With as much lawbreaking is going on, we’re seeking to prosecute as many people as are breaking the law as it relates to federal jurisdiction. That’s not always happening with respect to local jurisdiction and local offenses. But, you know, this is a posture we intend to continue not just in Portland but in any of the facilities that we’re responsible for around the country.
This is beyond any semblance of normalcy. The United States Attorney for the Oregon District is investigating the Portland matter, and local and state officials have demanded these practices end. Federal law enforcement does not have this type of unadulterated jurisdiction, and its authoritarian approach is troubling. As a nation, we cannot and should not tolerate men in camouflage going around kidnapping individuals. This team must be ousted on November 3.
Daniel is a lawyer writing and teaching about SCOTUS, and is the author of the book “The Chief Justices” about the SCOTUS as seen through the center seat.