Senate Democrats are planning to insert a provision in the coronavirus relief bill that would place restrictions on the Trump administration’s ability to send federal agents to help quell protests in cities across the country.
The provision would require federal agents to identify themselves, use marked vehicles and stay on federal property rather than patrol city streets, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Monday, according to NBC News. Local officials including mayors and governors would need to approve the use of federal agents patrolling streets.
“We’re going to try to get [it] into the COVID 4 bill,” Schumer said, according to NBC News. “It has broad support within the Democratic Caucus.” (RELATED: Portland Police Recover Molotov Cocktails, Ammunition During Violent Protests)
Protests turned violent in Portland, Oregon after the Trump administration authorized the deployment of federal agents, who are largely Department of Homeland Security officers, to help quell protests, according to The New York Times. The protests have been centered around Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Court House, which is federal property.
Widespread demonstrations have occurred in Portland and across the country in the wake of the death of George Floyd who died after a Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck, video of the incident shows.
Federal police confront protesters in front of the Mark O. Hatfield federal courthouse in downtown Portland on July 26, 2020.(Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Schumer said President Donald Trump’s orders to send federal agents to protect federal property was a “diversion,” NBC News reported.
“What does he do? Does he do what a normal president should do — roll up his sleeves and try and solve those problems? No,” Schumer said, according to NBC News. “He creates a diversion that’s nasty, that’s divisive, and by the way, it won’t work.”
A federal judge denied the Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblaum’s request for an order to stop federal agents from arresting Portland protesters Friday, NBC affiliate KGW News reported. The judge said that the state lacked standing to sue on behalf of protesters.
Trump has also authorized federal agents sent to Chicago and Albuquerque on Wednesday to assist local police in responding to violence, according to U.S. News.
Republican leaders prepared to propose a new $1 trillion coronavirus aid package Monday as the unemployment benefit included in the previous aid bill is set to expire this week, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Congress previously passed the $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act on March 27.
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