Even the ultra right wing Fox network commentators have condemned Trump's actions as unconstitutional and illegal. This was a matter discussed on another thread so I will not re post those data.
However, a new issue has arisen in regard to this and that is a temporary restraining order issued against Trump's jack booted thugs:
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2020/7 ... #read-more
Federal judge issues restraining order against Trump's federal agents in Portland
Jessica Sutherland
PORTLAND, OR - JULY 17: Federal officers prepare to disperse the crowd of protestors outside the Multnomah County Justice Center on July 17, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. Federal law enforcement agencies attempt to intervene as protests continue in Portland. (Photo by Mason Trinca/Getty Images)
Six days after the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Oregon added agents from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and United States Marshals to its existing lawsuit against the City of Portland and the Portland Police Bureau, a federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the Donald Trump-deployed secret police.
The original class-action lawsuit was filed June 30 on behalf of journalists and legal observers.
The attorneys (asked) the federal judge to issue a temporary restraining order to immediately prohibit law enforcement from:
Using any form of physical force against a journalist or legal observer, including tear gas, pepper spray, rubber bullets, and flash-bang grenades;
Arresting or threatening to arrest journalists and legal observers or seizing their equipment;
Threatening, harassing, or intimidating a journalist or legal observer;
Using indiscriminate force against crowds that are likely to contain journalists or legal observers;
"Kettling" or "killboxing" crowds that are likely to include journalists or legal observers; and
Ordering or forcing journalists or legal observers to disperse, or to stop recording or observing a protest.
The lawsuit, Woodstock v. City of Portland … seeks an order declaring law enforcement’s actions unconstitutional and prohibiting them from targeting and attacking journalists again. The lawsuit also seeks damages for injuries sustained.
Unfortunately, the TRO issued Thursday lasts two weeks, and applies only to the press and legal observers.
U.S. District Judge Michael H. Simon signaled early in the day that he was leaning towards issuing the order. All eyes have been on Portland in recent days, as federal agents unleashed upon Portland have come under repeated, widespread, and intense scrutiny and criticism for not just their acts of force against peaceful protesters, but against press, legal observers, and even the Portland mayor. Attorneys for the fascists Trump administration didn’t make much of a case.
Andrew Warden, serving as counsel for the federal government, argued the federal law enforcement were in a volatile and dangerous situation on the ground and said the order the judge was considering would place law enforcement in an “impossible position” where they had to choose between protecting public safety and risking running afoul of the court’s orders.
Warden claimed that it’s “not realistic to ask law enforcement officers to verify press passes or hat color while trying to restore order in a chaotic situation where lasers are being shot at them to blind them, fireworks are being targeted at them, everyone’s wearing masks, helmets, face coverings.” Warden also lamented that “nearly everyone appears to have a camera or a cellphone out to record things further making it difficult to distinguish legitimate journalists from others.”
Judge Simon was unimpressed by Warden’s hot take.
After Warden made his opening remarks, Simon questioned whether any injuries were caused to federal officers or damage had been caused to the courthouse by anyone who was a journalist or a legal observer.
He also questioned whether federal officers had received specific training in crowd control.
The attorney said they had no evidence of a journalist or legal observer causing damage.
He didn’t know the extent of the training, , but pointed the judge toward a recent press conference by the acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Chad Wolf.
This story is developing.
Anyone of true constitutional principles will readily agree. There is no valid basis for Trump to send in those thugs.