As various policies in America become more and more controversial, the people of this nation have not hesitated to share their thoughts about a new development. According to Think Progress, police officers of America are now well within their rights to take ownership of citizens' private property.
Acting chief of DOJ’s money laundering/asset recovery section Deborah Connor gave the following statement earlier today: “Under the Attorney General’s Order, federal adoption of all types of assets seized lawfully by the state or local law enforcement under their respective state laws is authorized whenever the conduct giving rise to the seizure violates federal law.”
AG Jeff Sessions expands controversial civil asset forfeiture policy, allowing govt the ability to take property without charges. pic.twitter.com/xdRgnKMcFI
— Paula Reid (@PaulaReidCBS) July 19, 2017
Earlier today, Attorney General Jeff Sessions stated that the Department of Justice would employ asset forfeiture as a tool to halt drug traffickers:
The monumental problems with asset forfeiture manifest themselves in a plethora of forms. For starters, if the government is legally permitted to seize the private property of any citizen, what halts them from abusing the practice and snatching away the belongings of any American with whom they disagree with? Will asset forfeiture permit people to be targeted because of their income, religion, race, or political beliefs? There are countless ways to combat drug trafficking, but asset forfeiture is unacceptable on multiple grounds. In fact, the practice is so undesirable that both Republicans and Democrats alike have staunchly condemned it.
Upon learning of the Attorney General's latest order, Americans weighed in with their thoughts and opinions via social media:
I guess citizens no longer have a right to “be secure in their .. effects, against unreasonable seizures” thanks to @jeffsessions https://t.co/rYjsro7Nw2
— Pablo Chong Herrera (@pch177) July 19, 2017
The police state has arrived, thanks to “states rights” & unconstitutional theft supporter Jeff Sessions https://t.co/QaP5sXkpVZ
— Brucet (@BRCLMTY) July 19, 2017
AG Sessions is 100% wrong on civil asset forfeiture. Police DO NOT have the right to steal property from citizens not convicted of any crime
— Makada 🇺🇸 (@_Makada_) July 19, 2017
