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July 31, 2020

Chairs DeFazio and Thompson Introduce Legislation to Rein in Federal Protection Statute that Trump Administration is Using as Cover for Civil Rights Abuses in Portland, Oregon

(WASHINGTON) – Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Peter DeFazio (D-OR), and Chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security, Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) introduced the “Prevent Federal Law Enforcement Abuse in the Protection of Federal Property Act,” legislation to strengthen and clarify 40 U.S. Code § 1315, the statute the Trump administration is abusing in order to deputize Federal employees of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, including the Federal Protective Service (FPS), to target peaceful protestors in Portland, Oregon and in cities across the country.

 “The Department of Homeland Security’s police actions in Portland over the past few weeks don’t just damage DHS’ image, they risk threatening the fabric of our democracy and the rule of law,” said Chairman Thompson. “Given that President Trump is threatening to continue this abuse of power, it’s clear we need to restrain the Department’s law enforcement authorities. To start, deployed officers must identify themselves, state the reason for arrest, and clear markings of their agency displayed. I am pleased to join with my colleague from Oregon for introducing this much needed legislation and I hope the House acts on it quickly.”

“The abuses carried out by Federal agents over the past few weeks in my home state of Oregon are utterly terrifying and in direct violation of the essential rights afforded to the people of the United States of America,” said Chair DeFazio, whose committee has jurisdiction over the FPS. “I am deeply concerned that what is happening on the ground in Portland — using Federal agents as political props to escalate tensions and carry out violence against peaceful protestors— is a trial run for what could take place all over the country, so the time to act is now. The legislation we are introducing today would mandate more stringent guardrails in order to prevent these abuses from happening in the future. It would provide significant direction and clarification to how Federal agents must make themselves known, increase the requirements for a warrantless arrest, and would make clear that an offense must have been committed against Federal property or persons on Federal property in order for these agents to make an arrest. I join many people across this country in disbelief and anger that our country has been pushed to this point by the Trump administration, and together, we must do everything in our power to stop this authoritarian behavior from taking root.”

Proposed Changes to 40 U.S. Code 1315:

  • Limits to the Federal Protective Service the employees under DHS that can be designated to protect Federal property and persons on the property.
  • To make an arrest without a warrant, a Federal officer under this statute must have probable cause that the person to be arrested has committed, is committing, or is about to commit a felony on or related to Federal property owned or occupied by the Federal Government.
  • Makes clear that the arrest must take place on Federal property, in an area in the immediate vicinity of the Federal property, in an area explicitly permitted by an agreement between DHS and Federal agencies and State and local governments, or if part of an active pursuit in which there are specific and articulable facts to support a reasonable belief that the person would escape, destroy evidence, or continue the commission of a felony related to Federal property.
  • Limits investigations and any associated surveillance only to offenses that may have been committed against Federal property.
  • Clarifies that DHS must enter into agreements with Federal agencies and with State and local governments when expanding the authorities of Federal officers to enforce Federal, State, and local laws.  These agreements must also include a requirement that the Federal officers wear body cameras while on duty.
  • While performing their official duties, Federal officers under this statute must display insignia identifying their agencies and full names. 
  • When conducting an arrest without a warrant, a Federal officer must identify herself or himself and her or his agency, inform the individual being arrested of the reason for the arrest, document the details and cause of the arrest, and notify any State or local government that is party to an agreement with DHS. 

Bill text can be found HERE.

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Press Contact

Andrew Postal (DeFazio)

Adam Comis (Thompson)