Attorney General William Barr is condemning violence during protests that have broken out across the U.S.
“With the rioting that is occurring in many of our cities around the country, the voices of peaceful and legitimate protests have been hijacked by violent radical elements,” Barr wrote in a statement on Sunday. “Groups of outside radicals and agitators are exploiting the situation to pursue their own separate, violent, and extremist agenda.”
Barr put his foot down as he called for an end to the “watching the violence” and to start “to confront and stop it.” He said the riots and what he called domestic terrorism “undercuts the urgent work that needs to be done” between the law enforcement and communities.
“Preventing reconciliation and driving us apart is the goal of these radical groups, and we cannot let them succeed.”
He later wrote, “The violence instigated and carried out by Antifa and other similar groups in connection with the rioting is domestic terrorism and will be treated accordingly.”
Read Barr’s full statement below:
Attorney General Barr’s statement on rioting, the role of the Department of Justice, and Antifa.
— Kerri Kupec DOJ (@KerriKupecDOJ) May 31, 2020
“The violence instigated and carried out by Antifa and other similar groups in connection with the rioting is domestic terrorism and will be treated accordingly.” pic.twitter.com/6aKElRYZdR
Additionally, as Barr’s spokesperson tweeted late Sunday, “As a reminder, it is a federal crime to cross state lines or to use interstate facilities to incite or participate in violent rioting. We WILL be enforcing these laws.”
As a reminder, it is a federal crime to cross state lines or to use interstate facilities to incite or participate in violent rioting. We WILL be enforcing these laws.
— Kerri Kupec DOJ (@KerriKupecDOJ) June 1, 2020
On Sunday afternoon, President Donald Trump noted on Twitter that he will designate Antifa as a terrorist organization.
National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien also suggested on Sunday that he believes the violence “is being driven by Antifa.”
In describing Antifa, the ADL writes on its website, “These violent counter-protesters are often part of ‘antifa’ (short for ‘antifascist’), a loose collection of groups, networks and individuals who believe in active, aggressive opposition to far right-wing movements.”
“They’re militants who are coming in and burning our cities, and we’re going to get to the bottom of it,” O’Brien told CNN.
These statements come as protests — both peaceful and violent — were sparked following the death of George Floyd, who died in police custody in Minneapolis, Minnesota, after he had his neck pinned by a police officer’s knee.
The United States of America will be designating ANTIFA as a Terrorist Organization.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 31, 2020
Curfews were imposed in several U.S. cities as protests continued to heat up over the weekend, as IJR reported.
The White House also indicated that it would not be taking steps to federalize the National Guard at the moment, as IJR also reported.
“We’re not going to federalize the Guard at this time. But, if necessary, we have further military assets that can be deployed,” O’Brien told reporters on Sunday. “We’ll do whatever the governors or mayors need to keep control of their cities.”