Dear friend,
I am seriously concerned about the Trump administration’s plans to send more federal  agents to our city, especially considering they weren’t requested by state or local leaders. I have received your calls and messages to my office and understand your worries.

Like so many of you, I saw the federal agents who were deployed to Portland use violent, excessive force, including tear gas and rubber bullets to serve a political purpose. I don’t want this to happen in Milwaukee. 

That’s why I have joined my colleagues in the Wisconsin delegation and city leaders in raising questions about what specific purpose they will serve, what their mission will entail including whether it will involve crowd control, how much this operation will cost, to whom will these federal troops be accountable, assurances that any federal troops involved in this operation who interact with the public will be identifiable, among other questions. These questions are critical because the federal agents must be transparent and accountable to local, state, and federal leaders. 

My colleagues in Congress also have questions about these troubling developments that appear to be politically motivated, not about protecting public safety. Last week, the House passed amendments to respond to these deployments in FY 2021 funding bills, including requirements that all Department of Justice (DOJ) or military forces (including contractors) be identifiable. For DOJ agencies, pending legislation would require that any such deployments be done in coordination with state or local governments and that the agency sending those individuals bar the use, at a mass gathering or public protest, of deadly force or less lethal force, including rubber bullets, stun grenades, flash bangs, and tear gas. 

With the passing of Congressman John Lewis, we lost a champion for peaceful protest whose life demonstrated that the voice of the people is a powerful tool for righting injustices. It’s a reminder of what’s at stake here and the need to make sure that the purpose, role, and accountability for these federal troops are crystal clear. 

Your friend,

Gwen