Attorney General William Barr wondered why leaders of the Democratic Party “are not coming out and condemning mob violence” during his testimony Tuesday to the House Judiciary Committee.
Barr made the comments after being asked why he thought “autonomous zones,” like the one that existed in Seattle for weeks, “are dangerous to America.”
“What makes me concerned for the country is this is the first time in my memory that the leaders of one of our great two political parties — the Democratic Party — are not coming out and condemning mob violence and the attack on federal courts,” Barr told the hearing. (RELATED: EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS: Portland Rioters Burn American Flag, Break Down Fencing At Federal Courthouse As Officers Respond En Masse)
“Why can’t we just say, you know, the violence against federal courts has to stop? Could we hear something like that?”
Barr wasted no time in condemning “autonomous zones.”
“They are dangerous because they are purporting to keep on the outside the duly constituted authority of the government. They are also, to me, outrageous, because these people who are living now under this autonomous zone haven’t selected the government,” he said. “They [haven’t] selected the duly authorized government of the city and the state. So it’s quite an outrage that people would use force to take over an area.” (RELATED: Maxine Waters: Sending ‘Paramilitary Police’ To Cities May Be Trump’s Plot To Stay In Power)
Barr’s testimony was delayed due to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler being involved in a car accident. Nadler accused Barr of orchestrating the riots in Portland, Oregon, and Seattle in order to provide President Donald Trump with good election campaign material.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continues to gather and assess intelligence on rioters, a senior department official revealed Thursday.
Federal police face off with protesters in front of the Mark O. Hatfield federal courthouse in downtown Portland as the city experiences another night of unrest on July 27, 2020 in Portland, Oregon.Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Protests and riots in Portland have resulted in tens of millions of dollars in damages to the community, according to the Portland Tribune.
Political leaders have been adamant in their refusal of federal assistance to resist the rioters. Democratic Oregon Rep. Earl Blumenauer said earlier in the month that “Portland, Oregon, is not out of control” during a speech on the House floor.