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Only two weeks after the United States Department of Justice refused assistance to North Dakota law enforcement dealing with the Dakota Access Pipeline protest, the federal government has now called upon the Morton County Sheriff’s Department for assistance removing protesters from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lands.

In a letter to Sheriff Kirchmeier, Col. John Henderson, Omaha District Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, requests assistance from law enforcement to remove trespassing protesters from federal lands. According to the letter, the Corps has not provided any permits for permissions for anyone to access that area of federal property, it has also not been opened to public use for recreation or camping. The letter also includes a map of the area where the Corps is requesting assistance to remove the protesters.

It’s ironic that despite the failure of the federal government to provide resources to the state government, local and state officials are still being tasked by the federal government with removing the protesters. Even more ironic is that the Secretary of the Army, a political appointee by President Obama, was one of the signatory parties to a letter encouraging a stoppage of construction and further review of the project despite the work already conducted by Col. Henderson’s District and two other Corps districts with jurisdiction over the pipeline route. These political actions have in fact allowed the protests to continue despite multiple federal orders that pipeline construction should continue.

Recent comments by the administration have also done no service to law enforcement who are struggling to keep law and order in the area, protect property and workers, and have exercised considerable restraint despite multiple violent actions during protester’s resistance to removal from illegally occupied land. It’s becoming more clear that for officials in Washington these protests are a political football to be kicked around, rather than a safety issue for thousands of Americans who need immediate relief to protect themselves and their property from harm by violent protesters willing to stop at nothing to get their way.

Sadly, it’s also become clear that Mr. Obama is so far removed from the events on the ground, even when his District Commanders are crying out for help, nobody in the Administration is listening.

President Obama was asked about the Dakota Access Pipeline and its ongoing protest in a NowThis interview yesterday.

The President called for law enforcement to show restraint and for protesters to remain peaceful over the next few weeks as his administration “let it play out and determine whether or not this can be resolved in a way that is properly attentive to the traditions of the First Americans.”

 “Letting it play out” has only brought violence and civil unrest to North Dakota since the Executive Branch through the Department of the Interior, Department of Justice and the Department of the Army called for a closer review of the already fully permitted Dakota Access Pipeline (North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Illinois, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

It’s unfortunate that the President fails to recognize the incredible restraint showed by law enforcement to this point. Protesters have held largely unpeaceful gatherings which in recent days have culminated in the attempted murder charge of a law enforcement officer and the construction and burning of barricades and bridges along public highways following multiple lawful requests for protesters to withdraw from illegally occupied private property.

Already over 400 individuals have been arrested for charges including arson, trespassing, assault, and attempted murder. There is nothing peaceful about these actions, nor have the protests of the last few months remained peaceful.

Throughout these protests, the Department of Justice has refused assistance to local law enforcement who have remained committed to protecting public safety and private property, as well as enforcing the ruling of two United States Federal Courts: the U.S. Circuit Court for the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. Both courts agreed that construction on the Dakota Access Pipeline was lawfully permitted by both the state and federal governments and should be allowed to continue.

It’s time to stop playing politics with this volatile situation. President Obama and his Administration should provide resources for members of law enforcement to enforce the laws in the State of North Dakota and respect the federal process that was adhered to throughout the permitting process.

In a letter published in Inforum, Cory Bryson, a business agent with LiUNA Local 563, thanked local law enforcement for protecting the safety and the rights of pipeline construction workers.

He states: “Every North Dakotan deserves the right to feel safe at home, at work, and in the communities where we live. The actions of the protesters who have illegally occupied private land near Cannon Ball, and ambushed construction site up and down the pipeline right-of-way, have violated those rights, even as they complain loudly about interference with their “right” to trespass and harass workers.”

Since protests began over 400 protesters have been arrested for violent charges including arson, assault, and attempted murder. Morton County, reinforced by state law enforcement and the North Dakota National Guard, is still attempting to establish the rule of law on the camps occupying land on the Cannonball River. Despite the supposed “peaceful” nature of these protests, threats to pipeline workers and law enforcement have not ceased.

In his letter Mr. Bryson calls for an end to the lawlessness, “For months now, our members have worked under constant threat, losing wages and sleep as a result of aggressive and unsafe protest tactics. It must stop. It is time for the federal government to stop delaying completion of this important national infrastructure project. Let us do our jobs, and more importantly, ensure that we are allowed to complete it safely.”