Even though many hardcore progressives might like to see anti-government rioters cut the head off of every statue from here to Timbuktu, Attorney General William Barr has seen enough.
On Friday, our friends at Fox News reported his following announcement:
In a memo released on Friday, Attorney General Bill Barr announced the formation of a Justice Department task force to combat anti-government extremist groups, such as Antifa and those who support the "Boogaloo" movement.
The document cites "significant threats to the rule of law," and "indefensible acts of violence" as the rationale behind the formation of the group.
"Amid peaceful demonstrations protected by the First Amendment, we have seen antigovernment extremists engaged in indefensible acts of violence designed to undermine public order," Barr wrote. "Among other lawless conduct, these extremists have violently attacked police officers and other government officials, destroyed public and private property, and threatened innocent people."
He added, "Some pretend to profess a message of freedom and progress, but they are in fact forces of anarchy, destruction, and coercion."
Barr claimed some of the anti-government extremist groups may be receiving funding from foreign entities, which are looking to sow seeds of chaos within the United States.
"We have evidence that anti-government violent extremists — including those who support the 'Boogaloo,' those who self-identify as Antifa, and others— will pose continuing threats of lawlessness," he explained. "Some of these violent extremists, moreover, may be fortified by foreign entities seeking to sow chaos and disorder in our country. The Department of Justice will respond to these violent groups in the same way we respond to other organized criminal or terrorist networks — by disrupting their violent activities and ultimately dismantling their capability to threaten the rule of law."
God only knows why WaPo is using those snarky little quotations with statements like this going around:
On balance, AG Barr was not only singling out Antifa and the like.
If you weren't sure, here is a brief description of who the "Boogaloo Boys" are and what they believe, from USA Today:
During recent months of unrest over coronavirus shutdowns and deaths of unarmed Black Americans in police custody, a right-wing extremist group aimed at overthrowing the government has been growing, experts say.
The "boogaloo" movement – named for a 1980s breakdancing movie and characterized by members who carry weapons and wear Hawaiian shirts and tactical gear – looks to exploit unrest in order to start a second civil war."
Although, I'd like to point out that nowhere in the media nor public discourse, are people hailing these Boogaloo fellas as the second coming of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
It's going to be a long, hot summer.
Coincidentally (or not) most of America is living under Draconian laws forbidding them to sit at a bar stool.
But the few chosen ones are having free reign when the sun goes down.
Stealing, shooting, spitting on law abiding citizens who disagree with them.
It going to be a long hot summer and William Barr is a cold bucket of water for the anarchists.
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