Exclusive: Biden-Harris administration slammed for allowing “violent actions of pro-terror, anti-Israel protesters on federal property”
- August 12, 2024
Matthew Foldi, Washington Reporter
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’s administration is under fire for its “failure to adequately address the criminal, violent actions of pro-terror, anti-Israel protesters on federal property.” At its center is Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, who has “completely ignored” repeated requests from Sen. John Barrasso (R., Wyo.) to support the U.S. Park Police (USPP).
In a letter first reported by the Washington Reporter, Barrasso blasted Haaland for repeatedly letting “a string of violent uprisings on federal property in our nation’s capital” go unpunished. Last month, a “mob of thousands” illegally occupied federal property in Washington, D.C, vandalizing federal property. Almost no protesters have been prosecuted.
“Your lack of meaningful action or public condemnation only serves to embolden these agitators,” Barasso wrote. “Your failure to act decisively jeopardizes the safety of federal personnel and diminishes public trust in DOI’s ability to uphold the rule of law.” While she’s ignored his requests, he is nevertheless writing to demand answers to questions like how can she “enhance security and surveillance on federal lands to prevent future violent incidents?” and “what specific actions are you taking to guarantee the safety and protection of USPP officers, who face clear risks while performing their duties?”
Barrasso’s letter comes after Rep. Stephanie Bice (R., Okla.) demanded that Washington, D.C.’s, U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves “find and prosecute all individuals who undertook these illegal acts at Union Station to the fullest extent of the law.” Bice’s actions were first covered by the Reporter.
Protect the Public’s Trust’s director Michael Chamberlain told the Reporter that “Interior is rudderless under Secretary Haaland,” adding that “the Secretary herself essentially admitted in a recent Senate hearing that she’s not in charge. So who is? This vacuum at the top affects the department inside and out. Organizations like ours have filed several complaints against Interior employees and the inspector general has launched multiple investigations of her staff. Meanwhile, outside activists have been allowed to run amok.”