From Buzzfeed:
The Department of Homeland Security’s response to anti–police brutality protests in Portland, Oregon, has disturbed and angered many employees, who called the deployment of the federal force an unusual maneuver that could do long-term damage to the agency’s reputation. …
But conversations with 17 DHS employees, all of whom requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter, reveal that many at the agency disagree with the show of force. Some called for an investigation, while others said they feared the long-term consequences for the agency’s reputation.
“Despite working at DHS, I watch and learn about every day’s new descent into lawlessness and authoritarianism just like the rest of the world,” one employee said. “Being a part of this corrupt regime, even as I play no role in the decision-making process, leaves me disgusted by my employer and saddened for my country.” …
Another DHS employee said they’d never seen anything like what’s happening in Portland in their many years at the agency.
“We have a lot of work ahead in terms of repairing the public’s trust,” the employee said.
Repair? Repair?
I don’t think this is the sort of damage that can be repaired. I think you fire everyone at the agencies involved, and then rebuild from the ground up. Each employee is responsible to the American public for their behavior, and this behavior, of anonymous officers playing catch and release with peaceful protesters, is not acceptable. That means that not only is the leadership that didn’t resign when directed to organize this debacle responsible, it means all the officers who went trotting out to harass citizens also deserve to be fired.
At least this employee gets it:
“I did not sign up nor was I trained to be a street cop,” said one DHS employee who had not been deployed but had reservations of others being sent there. “Civil societies have immigration laws that need to be enforced, but that does not mean we should be used as this delusional president’s personal attack dog just because we happen to be available.”
Now they need to act on it.
