Ernst Fights to Ensure Law Enforcement Officials Are Protected

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) joined her colleagues to urge Attorney General William Barr to consider whether the Department of Justice (DOJ) needs additional authorities, resources, and tools to combat increasing attacks against law enforcement in the midst of violent protesting across the country.

 

“Over the past three months, our nation has been in the midst of a vital debate about the relationship between law enforcement and our communities,”  wrote Ernst and her colleagues. “All of us agree that this is a crucial debate, which is why each of us supported Senator Tim Scott’s JUSTICE Act to provide for more accountability and transparency in law enforcement. But while we seek to support law enforcement, this debate has also exposed the radical voices of those who would “defund” our police departments.”

 

In their letter, Ernst and her colleagues also call on Attorney General Barr to provide answers on what resources the DOJ is using to combat targeted violence against police officers and to address whether the department believes enhanced criminal penalties would stem the violent conduct against law enforcement.

 

Background:

Ernst has been a leading voice in condemning the violent protests in cities across the country and is continuing her push to dissolve the anarchist jurisdictions that abdicate their constitutional duty to their citizens to uphold the rule of law and provide police, fire, or emergency medical services due to non-governmental actors. 

 

Ernst  led a letter to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought to use his authority to prevent federal funding for anarchist jurisdictions and to report the amount of taxpayer dollars used to enable autonomous zones.

 

In June, Ernst put forward the  Ending Taxpayer Funding of Anarchy Act, which would restrict federal funding for anarchist jurisdictions, Ernst’s bill  continues to gain support from her colleagues.

 

Ernst supported the JUSTICE Act to provide for more accountability and transparency in law enforcement, an effort that was blocked by Democrats. The senator also called on Congress to follow the example of Iowa who passed commonsense police reform legislation unanimously.

 

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