FREEDOM
Sen. Rand Paul Blasts Trump For Police Militarization: ‘Americans Must Never Sacrifice Their Liberty’
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) on Monday blasted the Trump administration for its plan to fully militarize local and state police forces, saying it would encroach on Americans’ liberties.
Paul criticized the decision in a series of tweets, saying that the move would “subsidize militarization” and provide “an illusive and dangerous, or false, security” to Americans.
Americans must never sacrifice their liberty for an illusive and dangerous, or false, security. I disagree with AG Jeff Sessions on 1033…
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) August 28, 2017
The militarization of our law enforcement is due to an unprecedented expansion of government power in this realm.
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) August 28, 2017
It’s one thing for fed officials to work w/ local authorities to reduce or solve crime. It’s another for them to subsidize militarization.
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) August 28, 2017
The Hill added:
Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced earlier in the day that President Trump will sign an executive order on Monday that lifts the controversial ban on the so-called 1033 Pentagon program, reversing policies imposed by the Obama administration.
Trump, who largely campaigned on restoring “law and order,” will reopen the gates for police to militarize their departments with heavy-duty arms including armed aircraft, armored vehicles, grenade launchers, bayonets, and high-caliber guns and ammunition.
The Obama administration initially halted the 1033 program after Ferguson police used military equipment and tactics against protestors following the shooting of Michael Brown three years ago.
“We’ve seen how militarized gear can sometimes give people a feeling like they’re an occupying force, as opposed to a force that’s part of the community that’s protecting them and serving them,” Obama said in announcing the ban in 2015.
However, Sessions said on Monday that “those restrictions went too far.”
“We will not put superficial concerns above public safety. All you need to do is turn on a TV right now to see that for Houstonians this isn’t about appearances, it’s about getting the job done and getting everyone to safety,” he added, referring to Hurricane Harvey.
Paul said he will oppose the reinstated 1033 program.
I will oppose this move by the AG and administration. And I will continue to fight for our civil liberties and criminal justice reform.
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) August 28, 2017
