Another day, another lower court judge justifiably angry at the Trump administration.
This time it's U.S. District Judge Sarah Ellis, who is overseeing a case brought by Chicago journalists who allege federal agents targeted members of the news media, religious leaders and peaceful protesters. Who knew the judge would be so fussy over multiple rubber bullets, pepper balls, flash bangs and tear gas? We need to remove these priests and reporters.
Ellis released temporary restraining order Last week, federal agents were banned from threatening, arresting or using force against journalists unless there is probable cause to believe they have committed a crime. The same goes for nonviolent protesters. It also required federal agents, before using any weapons in crowd control, to give at least two separate warnings and to give people a reasonable time to comply.
However, the government appeared to defy Ellis' order almost immediately. At Thursday's hearing, Ellis told the administration that she “deeply concernedThe government has already violated the TRO. declaration The case says there are six confirmed attacks on journalists by federal agents, including the shooting of pepper balls at a CBS-marked driver's van. So safe!
Ellis ordered Russell Hott, field director of ICE's Chicago office, to appear in court next week. speaking“The field director will explain to me why I am seeing images of tear gas being used and reading reports that there were no warnings on the ground.”
You've seen enough of the administration's antics in court to know that the administration has no intention of involving Hott. You see, suddenly the government insists that the masked bandits violating the court decision are not even in the internal combustion engine! They are Customs and Border Protection agents, so they want to send CBP Deputy Chief Kyle Harvick.
It's a constant game with the administration, with accountability constantly shifting, allowing DOJ lawyers to show up and say they simply can't confirm or deny anything the government does.
In addition to refusing to charge Hott, the administration is also unhappy that the judge asked someone to testify about how and when the government plans to equip its thugs with body cameras. Ellis has ordered them wear body cameras, but oh hello, Assistant US Attorney Sean Skedzielewski, what kind of disingenuous nonsense are you spouting about this?
First, the government doesn't want anyone to actually testify about the cameras, but instead just wants to send in some written statements. You will note that this will mean that these officials will not actually be questioned by the court or the plaintiffs.
In a very eloquent manner, the government asked that if the court required live testimony, they would like their witnesses to appear remotely because “None of the applicants reside in
The Chicago area and travel will be particularly burdensome due to the current cessation of appropriations.”
LOL, even LMAO. All ICE and CBP agents receive a salary– if not illegal, then at least legally questionable, mind you – during the Republican shutdown, and the government is spending a ton of money on this immigration crackdown despite the shutdown.
Skedzielewski explained that body cameras are only available in “selection” areaand that doesn't even include Chicago. Oh, and besides, it would be difficult to edit the footage to protect the safety and privacy of the agents and others in the video.
LOL LMAO again. The government does not care about the privacy of people who are targeted and arrested by federal agents. They put detainees in their gross small hissing drums. It's just a way to challenge the court.
Oh, and it's damn hard to get cameras and distribute them quickly.
LOL LMAO, again too. ICE and CBO have incredible amount money splashing around to be spent. And when the administration wants to do something, it does everything possible to do it quickly.
When Trump decided he wanted send troops in Portland and Chicago it didn't even take a whole day for it to happen. But somehow, all of these logistical options are out of reach when it comes to installing body cameras on these thugs.
You can expect the administration to try to drag this out as long as possible, using endless excuses that all boil down to: “We're not going to follow your order and will instead wait for the conservatives on the Supreme Court to intervene.”
I can't wait to hear how the history and traditions of the United States force the decision that federal agents can brutalize people with impunity for…reasons.
