1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

The deployment of federal agents across Washington D.C. represents an alarming overreach of executive power and a threat to civil liberties. This unilateral action by the President to crack down on protests circumvents local authorities and violates principles of federalism. By allowing this authoritarian move, lawmakers are abdicating their constitutional duty to serve as a check on executive overreach and uphold citizens' rights to peacefully assemble and petition the government. This militant response to protests only serves to further inflame tensions. A return to democratic norms where the president does not wield a personal militia requires an immediate withdrawal of federal forces and a recommitment to protecting civil rights.