Listen to this articleUS President Donald Trump announced the deployment of federal law enforcement in various cities in the United States. Now, the Inspectors General at the US Justice Department and Homeland Security Department are launching separate probes into the Trump’s deployment of federal law enforcement officers to Portland, Oregon, and various complaints about their use of force on demonstrators. DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz forwarded a letter to 3 House Democratic committee chairs, Jerry Nadler of the Judiciary panel, Carolyn Maloney of the Oversight panel, and Benny Thompson of the Homeland Security panel. He announced he is initiating a review to examine the DOJ’s and its law enforcement components’ roles and responsibilities in responding to protest activity and civil unrest in Washington, DC, and in Portland, Oregon over the prior two months.
The review will also include examining the training and instruction that was provided to the DOJ law enforcement personnel in compliance with applicable identification requirements, rules of engagement, legal authorities, adherence to DOJ policies regarding the use of less-lethal munitions, chemical agents, and other uses of force. Point to be noted that the DOJ Office of the Inspector General is coordinating its review of events in Lafayette Square on 1st June. It was the time when federal agents used tear gas and flash-bang grenades to disperse peaceful protesters and clear a path for Donald Trump to walk to a photo op at a local church.
Horowitz wrote, “If circumstances warrant, the OIG will consider including other issues that may arise during the course of the review”. It is noteworthy that Horowitz’s office isn’t the only one to launch a probe into the administration’s activities in response to anti-police brutality protests that have frequently broken out into riotous behavior in various cities across the United States. DHS Inspector General Joseph Cuffari has opened an investigation into allegations that DHS law enforcement personnel improperly detained and transported protesters in Portland, Oregon, on 15th July 2020. Cuffari’s team will coordinate its investigation with Horowitz’s team and other agencies as appropriate.
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