Having charged more than two dozen people already, DOJ is following through on a vow to go after crimes committed amid the peaceful protests.
On Sunday, Attorney General Bill Barr promised a federal crackdown on any violent and criminal activity occurring during peaceful protests against police brutality. Days later, that crackdown is in full force.
It's an initiative that is in line with Trump's pledge to"dominate" the streets after a week of protests across the nation. And supporters say there is symbolic importance in showing the government's commitment to helping state and local authorities prevent vandalism and looting.
The Justice Department has brought charges ranging from possession of destructive devices and unregistered firearms to interstate commerce violations and malicious destruction of property.
“Getting charged by DOJ is a much more serious proposition than getting charged by the state,” Honig said. Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security has flagged concerns to state and local law enforcement about extremists’ efforts to infiltrate and co-opt the protests. In an unclassified intelligence note dated May 29, reviewed by POLITICO, officials said militia extremists and white supremacists — who are predominantly far-right — and anarchist extremists — predominantly far-left — had been connected to violent threats during the protests.
That distinction is key factor that may complicate federal officials’ work monitoring and charging protesters, said Chuck Rosenberg, a former federal prosecutor and DOJ veteran.
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