Civil rights advocates and scholars say the US governmentās claims are troubling indicators of rising authoritarianism
After New York City comptroller Brad Lander this week became the latest prominent Democrat to be arrested while monitoring and protesting US immigration authorities, the Trump administration trotted out a familiar refrain to justify his detention.
The mayoral candidate had āassaultedā law enforcement, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) asserted, warning āif you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will face consequencesā.
The accusation, which DHS has also recently leveled against a member of Congress and a high-profile union leader, have sparked consternation, particularly as videos of the incidents did not show the officials attacking officers and instead captured officersā aggressive behavior and manhandling of the officials.
Soā¦ May as well assault them if they are going to lie anyway, and you dont have the kind of press following a mayoral candidate or state senator would?
Thats the message they are sending to me, not sure about anyone elseās take.