Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine announced on Thursday that they are cosponsoring legislation that would block federal paramilitary forces from being deployed throughout U.S. cities.
The move comes after President Donald Trump sent federal law enforcement agents into Portland, Oregon although state and local authorities did not request assistance following nearly eight weeks of protests. In response, Warner and Kaine are joining Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden to introduce the Preventing Authoritarian Policing Tactics on America’s Streets Act.
“What we’ve seen in Portland these last two weeks is an outrage and should never be accepted in the U.S.,” the Senators said. “President Trump is using completely unjustified and unconstitutional intimidation tactics against American citizens over the objections of state and local officials. This bill makes it clear that unidentified officers cannot trample on the constitutional rights of peaceful protesters.”