DOJ designates Portland, Seattle, and NYC as "Anarchist Jurisdictions"

In a report published this morning by the United States Department of Justice, Attorney General William Barr has classified cities with consecutive Black Lives Matter protests and demonstrations as “Jurisdictions Permitting Violence And Destruction Of Property.”

Citing Portland’s marking of more than 100 consecutive days of protests in its downtown area this month, the seizure of six square blocks (known as the CHAZ or CHOP) in Seattle for almost a month, and the rise of shootings and rejection of federal law enforcement support in New York City, these classified jurisdictions could see a drastic cut in federal funding in the wake of President Trump’s Funding Memorandum from early September.

According to Barr, “We cannot allow federal tax dollars to be wasted when the safety of the citizenry hangs in the balance. It is my hope that the cities identified by the Department of Justice today will reverse course and become serious about performing the basic function of government and start protecting their own citizens.”

A short list of criteria for evaluating these cities was given, and it includes the jurisdiction forbidding police from intervening or restoring order amid widespread violence or destruction, whether or not law enforcement has been withdrawn from locations, the defunding of police, rejects federal enforcement support, and “any other related factors the Attorney General deems appropriate.”

• See also:
  • Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg dies at 87
  • Portland mayor announces directive to end use of CS Gas by police
  • Trump threatens to cease federal funding for “lawless cities” in US

“When state and local leaders impede their own law enforcement officers and agencies from doing their jobs, it endangers innocent citizens who deserve to be protected, including those who are trying to peacefully assemble and protest,” says Barr in the DOJ release.

For a full list of the appropriated facts to determine why these three cities have been designated “anarchist jurisdictions,” see the full filing from the Department of Justice.