THE AMERICAN POSEIDON ADVENTURE

Four senior career prosecutors from the Department Justice Civil Rights Division resigned protesting the refusal of the DOJ to investigate the shooting of Renee Good. The former head of the Civil Rights Division, Kristen Clarke, said that “the officer-involved shooting of Renee Good is precisely the kind of case that the Civil Rights Division would investigate carefully, fully, and fairly… because this is one of the most solemn duties and responsibilities of the Justice Department; investigating officials who potentially violate the law.”

If Jonathan Ross is not guilty of excessive use of force, then Secretary Noem and her ally President Trump have nothing to lose by allowing such an investigation. Their rush to publicly judge Ross’s actions was and continues to be rash and ill-advised. They knew this case would raise serious concern among Americans across the political spectrum.

Historically, incidents like this have been investigated by the FBI and the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division to reassure the public that an official entrusted with the power of life and death acted reasonably and within the law. This case is no different. Apparent stonewalling only fuels distrust among many and provokes anger and, in some cases, violence among others. When a governmental official kills an unarmed person without a full and transparent accounting, it breeds fear. If we cannot trust our government to protect us and tell the truth, whom can we trust?

Because there has been no full, fair, and professional investigation and because the officer has been suspiciously cloaked in questionable immunity, only unanswered questions remain. The government’s personal attacks on the victim, including labeling this mother a “terrorist,” are deeply suspect and have further undermined any sense of fairness or credibility. Without doubt, this rhetoric has intensified protests and heightened the risk of violence among those who now fear for their own safety and that of their communities.

Everyone would benefit from a genuine investigation. It would help defuse tensions and restore confidence. Ad administration interested in promoting calm and orderly conduct, would cease the aggressive and at times unlawful enforcement tactics employed by ICE agents. Escalation only endangers both agents and civilians.

President Obama deported more than three million people during his presidency. Those actions were carried out largely through cooperation with local law enforcement and established procedures. Why, then, the urgency now? Why the abandonment of restraint and process? The answer to that question matters and the American people deserve it.

RESIST!!! & EDUCATE!!!