REPS LIEU AND DEXTER INTRODUCE BILL TO STOP FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OVERREACH

WASHINGTON - Thursday, April 23, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) and Congresswoman Maxine Dexter (D-OR) introduced the Prevent the Misuse of Federal Law Enforcement Act, to address federal law enforcement overreach, reinforce local authority, and uphold Americans' First Amendment right to peacefully protest.

"Nobody should be intimidated by law enforcement while exercising their right to peacefully protest," said Rep. Lieu. "The Trump administration unnecessarily deployed federal agents to peaceful protests in cities like Minneapolis, Chicago, Portland, and Los Angeles - often without coordination with local officials and in ways that escalated tensions rather than protected public safety. Local communities should have a say in how policing is carried out in their jurisdictions. We must ensure all Americans can safely exercise their right to protest without fear of those sworn to protect them."

"The First Amendment's protection of peaceful protest is foundational to the health of our democracy. Oregonians exemplified this last fall when Trump tried to federalize the National Guard over a manufactured crisis. Our communities visually matched the absurdity of federal government actions with their creative protests-and the National Guard was not deployed. This is exactly the kind of free speech we must protect with everything we have. Without it, we risk losing our republic. I'm proud to support the right to speak out, organize, and hold those in power accountable," said Rep. Dexter.

Background:

The Prevent the Misuse of Federal Law Enforcement Act would:

1) Prohibit the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from using any officers or agents to protect federal property where a protest is occurring, excluding the General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Protective Service, unless a chief executive of the state requests it.

2) Prohibit the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) from deputizing local, state, or other federal law enforcement without approval from the relevant state or local jurisdiction.

3) Prohibit the use of Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) officers to enforce non-drug related laws.

READ THE FULL TEXT OF THE BILL HERE

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