Trump’s Legal Authority to Deploy Agents to U.S. Cities May Be Limited, Experts Say
It’s time to arrest some of the agents violating civil rights and put this to the test.
“There is no federal statute agents are enforcing by engaging with protesters,” said Jimmy Gurule, a University of Notre Dame law professor. “My concern is whether their protection of federal property is a ruse to interfere with protesters’ free speech.”
Wolf on Tuesday defended the Portland deployment, saying at a press conference that agents are identifying themselves as law enforcement, and “only targeting and arresting those who have been identified as committing crime.”
Under the U.S. Constitution, state governors generally have authority to maintain order within their states’ borders.
That idea is reflected in the Posse Comitatus Act, which generally bars the federal military from participating in domestic law enforcement.
More: Trump’s legal authority to deploy agents to U.S. cities may be limited, experts say - Reuters