Co. Springs Republican calls for federal police in Denver as Democrats push back
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- While President Donald Trump has laid out the idea to expand federal law enforcement presence in cities in response to protests, a state legislator from Colorado Springs is asking for them to be deployed to Denver.
Rep. Dave Williams shared screenshots of the letter he wrote to the Trump Administration on Twitter Thursday. Inside the letter are jabs at Gov. Jared Polis' response to recent protests and a request for the president's help "now more than ever."
The letter comes a day after Trump announced that federal law enforcement agents will be deployed to Chicago and Albuquerque as part of Operation LeGend.
Williams claims that Polis has used the "Chinese coronavirus pandemic as an excuse for his unprecedented power grabs," referencing the state's latest order to stop serving alcohol after 10 p.m. for the next 30 days.
Williams also claims that Polis is "enabling" criminals to vandalize state and private property and references videos showing alleged Antifa members getting into altercations with people like Michelle Malkin, Weld County Sheriff Steve Reams, and House Rep. Patrick Neville. A "Back the Blue" rally this past weekend in Denver devolved into disarray when counter-protesters and ralliers got into violent confrontations, and some ralliers told Denver news outlets that nearby police officers watched as they were assaulted. Denver police told KDVR they did intervene.
The surge of federal law enforcement is part of the Trump Administration's reported goal of helping cities quell violent crime in the wake of protests for police reform. However, protesters in Portland, Oregon, have reported that federal law enforcement agents have arrested people without charges.
Many Democratic lawmakers across the country have expressed concern about the operation. A statement from Colorado Democrats sent Thursday called on US Attorney Jason Dunn to prevent the use of federal law enforcement in Colorado.
"We have watched in shock and horror as federal agents have descended upon Portland against the explicit objections of state and local leaders and exacerbated an already volatile situation. We see both the deployment of these agents and the excessive force they have used as an unwarranted overreach on behalf of the federal government," part of the statement read. "Under the Tenth Amendment of the United States Constitution, states have sovereign authority and the right to exercise police powers. We object in the strongest possible terms to any possible deployment of federal agents onto the streets of Colorado without the explicit consent of the state."
Gov. Polis said during a press conference Thursday that the state hasn't requested federal troops but added, "If we need them, I won't hesitate to call on President Trump."
However, the governor said he doesn't feel the federal law enforcement response is the best option, saying the way Colorado would approach the situation is to de-escalate.
"In areas where they have sent troops, it was obviously like putting oil on a flame; it clearly makes the situation worse," Polis said.
Polis noted that the Colorado National Guard still has additional support available if the state needs it.
