Attorney General Phil Weiser statement on the president’s threat to order the military to override civilian policing

June 2, 2020 (DENVER, Colo.) – Attorney General Phil Weiser today released the following statement regarding the president’s threat to order the military to override civilian policing:

“The constitutional right to peacefully assemble and protest is core to our laws and democratic values. Those who would attempt to hijack peaceful protests and engage in illegal activity should and will be held accountable by local and state authorities. It is not necessary, wise, or appropriate for the president to order the military to perform this civilian role.

“The threat to order the military to take over policing in our cities and states is illegal, an abuse of power, and exactly the opposite of what our nation needs. Our states have sovereign authority and the right to exercise the police power under the Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. If necessary, as we have before, the State of Colorado is prepared to take the federal government to court to defend our sovereignty and the rule of law.”

###

Contact:
Lawrence Pacheco
Director of Communications
(720) 508-6553 office | (720) 245-4689 cell
Lawrence.pacheco@coag.gov