Attorney General William Barr on Saturday slammed left-leaning groups for hijacking those who have been peacefully protesting the death of George Floyd. According to Barr it has become apparent that people are crossing state lines to purposely incite violence.
"Unfortunately, with the rioting that is occurring in many of our cities around the country, the voices of peaceful protests are being hijacked by violent radical elements. Groups of outside radicals and agitators are exploiting the situation to pursue their own separate and violent agenda," Barr said. "In many places it appears the violence is planned, organized, and driven by an anarchic and left-extremist groups, far-left extremist groups using Antifa-like tactics, many of whom have traveled outside the state to promote the violence."
The attorney general reminded state and local governments that they have a responsibility to maintain the rule of law and protect citizens.
"The Department of Justice, including the FBI, the U.S. Marshals, the ATF, the DEA and our 93 United States Attorneys' offices around the country are supporting these local efforts, will continue to support them and take all action necessary to enforce federal law," he explained.
He reminded people that traveling to another state or to use "interstate facilities" to start or participate in rioting is a crime.
AG BARR: Peaceful protests are being hijacked by “Far Left extremist groups using Antifa-Like tactics.” pic.twitter.com/kqStdCZPxQ
— Benny (@bennyjohnson) May 30, 2020
President Donald Trump took to Twitter to echo Barr's statement, saying the feds are prepared to step in if need be.
Crossing State lines to incite violence is a FEDERAL CRIME! Liberal Governors and Mayors must get MUCH tougher or the Federal Government will step in and do what has to be done, and that includes using the unlimited power of our Military and many arrests. Thank you!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 30, 2020
What Barr said was confirmed earlier on Saturday when St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter said every single person that was arrested in his city Friday night was from out-of-state.
"In St. Paul, last night, and across our Twin Cities, the curfew went into effect. Because we had a relative stillness in St. Paul we didn't make an enormous number of arrests but every single person we arrested last night, I'm told, was from out-of-state," Carter said. "What we are seeing right now is a group of people who are not from here."