Backlash growing over diverted federal agents

Show of force in Democratic-run cities decried as Trump's ploy for reelection

US President Donald Trump is using the Department of Homeland Security in unprecedented ways as he tries to bolster his law and order credentials by making a heavy-handed show of force in cities around the nation in the lead-up to the November elections.

Trump's plan to deploy federal agents to Chicago and perhaps other Democratic-run cities where violence is spiking is seen by critics as his latest effort to use an agency that was created after the Sept 11, 2001 attacks to thwart terrorists to instead supplement local law enforcement in a manner that bolster his reelection chances.

Trump has already deployed Homeland Security agents to Portland, Oregon, on the grounds of protecting federal buildings from protesters, drawing intense criticism from local leaders who say the federal presence has only exacerbated tensions rather than promoted public safety.

"This is precisely the type of tyrannical deployment of power that the founding fathers were specifically worried about," said Jeffrey A. Engel, director of the Center for Presidential History at Southern Methodist University.

Under Trump's latest plan, yet to be publicly announced, about 150 Homeland Security Investigations agents would go to Chicago to help local law enforcement deal with a spike in crime, according to an official with direct knowledge of the plans who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Those agents, who are generally used to investigate human trafficking, drugs and weapons smuggling, are expected to stay in Chicago at least two months, according to the official, who added that they would work under the Justice Department.

White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany said no one had been sent to Chicago yet. She added: "The bottom line is that this president stands with law and order, which leads to peace."

Spate of violence

In a tweet on Sunday, Trump blamed local leaders for a growing spate of violence in cities like Chicago that has left dozens dead, including young children. He added a dire warning that "the radical left Democrats, who totally control Biden, will destroy our country as we know it", referring to Democratic poll rival Joe Biden.

Trump has also intervened in other cities, including Washington. In the protests following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Trump deployed US National Guard troops and federal law enforcement officials from agencies including US Customs and Border Protection and the Drug Enforcement Administration to patrol the city.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot was at first highly resistant, but her tone changed after she and members of her administration, along with Police Superintendent David Brown, talked with officials about the government's plan.

"I've been very clear that we welcome actual partnership," Lightfoot said. "But we do not welcome dictatorship. We do not welcome authoritarianism, and we do not welcome unconstitutional arrest and detainment of our residents."

Throughout his presidency, Trump has leaned on Homeland Security to carry out his political objectives, including cracking down on illegal immigration. The agency manages border security as well as natural disasters and the Transportation Security Administration.

But with the border largely shuttered because of the coronavirus and the number of illegal crossings plummeting, Trump is now using the department to combat crime and demonstrations demanding justice and racial equality.

Critics say the federal forces have stoked tensions, creating new images of violence that could lead frightened viewers to vote for Trump.

Chad Wolf, acting secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security, said federal personnel have been assaulted with lasers, bats, fireworks, bottles and other weapons and "yet the city of Portland takes little to no action".

But former Homeland Security officials say they've seen nothing like the Portland deployment, which has included using highly trained Border Patrol agents to confront protesters outside the downtown courthouse.

"Urban policing and crowd control and civil unrest isn't something that is in their wheelhouse," said Gil Kerlikowske, a former commissioner of US Customs and Border Protection under former president Barack Obama.

Agencies and Heng Weili in New York contributed to this story.