Rounds, GOP colleagues question AG Barr about violence against law enforcement

U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) joined several of his Republican colleagues in requesting that Attorney General William Barr provide details about the violence against America’s law enforcement officers.

“We know that you and the Justice Department are doing everything you can to protect the lives of law enforcement, and to prosecute violent offenders who assault and kill law enforcement officers,” Sen. Rounds and the lawmakers wrote in a Sept. 9 letter sent to Barr. “However, given the attacks we are seeing against law enforcement officers, we believe it is time to consider whether your department needs additional authorities, resources and tools to combat this activity.” 

Among the senators who joined Sen. Rounds in signing the letter were U.S. Sens. Thom Tillis (R-NC), Susan Collins (R-ME), Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Joni Ernst (R-IA).

Sen. Rounds and his colleagues noted that peaceful protesters have rightly called for justice and reform, but demonstrations have been exploited by extremists, such as those in Portland. “The American people understand that what is happening in Portland is a precursor to what life would be like if we defunded the police,” they wrote. “This is a dangerous and unacceptable state of affairs.” 

Specifically, the lawmakers asked Barr to answer several questions, including whether the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) thinks that enhanced criminal penalties for purposefully targeting law enforcement officers would be helpful in stemming violent conduct.

Among other questions, Sen. Rounds and his colleagues also asked if enhanced criminal penalties would deter targeted violence toward police, as well as how DOD would recommend that Congress enact such penalties. “In other words, should Congress enact a new statutory crime for direct targeting of police, or would other changes to existing law or sentencing policies accomplish the same goal?” they wrote.