Republican Lawmakers Push DOJ to Probe Funding for Nationwide Protests

With the American populace existing today in its most agitated state in modern history, there are plenty of questions out there that are being overlooked due to this all-consuming rage.

In places like Portland, Oregon, protests against racial inequality and police brutality have been ongoing for over 100 consecutive days, with the peaceful demonstrations often giving way to violent rioting at night.  Arrest records have shown that this tumult has been largely caused by out-of-town agitators and extremists, which has posed a bit of a query for those hoping to quell the violence:  Just how are these groups able to afford such a prolonged expenditure of resources?

Congress is now asking the Department of Justice to get to the bottom of that question.

Dozens of Republican House lawmakers on Thursday requested the Department of Justice to investigate individuals or groups funding and organizing the ongoing riots and civil unrest.

Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO) led the total of 50 lawmakers in sending a letter to Attorney General William Barr calling for those behind the riots to be investigated.

“We write to share our deep concerns regarding the ongoing violence that has gripped American cities and threatened the rule of law across our nation,” the letter reads. “ANTIFA and other left-wing anarchist groups have unleashed a barrage of totalitarian attacks on our country in recent months, including accosting a sitting U.S. Senator, hijacking peaceful rallies, organizing armed riots, destroying property, burning buildings, stealing livelihoods, and spreading hate.”

Rep. Buck said of the letter in a statement: “ANTIFA and other far-left anarchist groups have wreaked havoc on our nation for far too long. Americans deserve to feel safe and secure in their own communities. It is time that AG Barr and the DOJ take action to investigate and prosecute the groups responsible for these violent riots. I am proud to lead this effort with my colleagues to put a stop to these coordinated attacks that have subverted our system of government and way of life.”

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf has indicated that the DHS is already beginning to explore this question, and that his organization has been in contact with AG Bill Barr as well.