The Justice Department identified New York City, Portland, Oregon, and Seattle as three cities that could have federal funding slashed under a memorandum by President Trump that sought to identify localities that permit “anarchy, violence and destruction in American cities.”
The designation drew immediate criticism from local elected officials (see tweets below)
It comes as Trump has cast cities run by Democratic mayors as under siege by violence and lawlessness.
That's despite the fact that most of the demonstrations against racial injustice have been largely peaceful.
An attempt to cut off federal funding to the cities would likely be met with immediate legal challenges.
Demonstrations have rolled out across the country following the death of George Floyd on May 25th at the hands of four Minneapolis police officers.
The government says leaders in New York, Portland, and Seattle have refused to accept federal help and also "contributed to the violence and destruction."
'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,' said Attorney General William P. Barr. 'We cannot allow federal tax dollars to be wasted when the safety of the citizenry hangs in the balance.'
undefined
undefined
undefined
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
