HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL. – The Hillsborough County Republican Party sent a letter to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday calling on him to oppose the United States Capitol Police’s plans to establish a field office in Tampa.
Last week, the Capitol Police announced the creation of field offices in several states to investigate threats against members of Congress in the wake of the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.
The first two field offices will be located in the San Francisco, California, and Tampa, Florida areas. with “additional regions in the near future” in order to “investigate threats to members of Congress,” said Capitol Police chief Yogananda Pittman in a press release.
“I am writing to request as Governor you put an end to the establishment of the Capitol Police field office in Tampa, Florida,” penned HGOP Chairman Jim Waurishuk. “This is not the proper place for the Federal government to set up a base for authority over our local residents and citizens.”
Citing Article 1 section 8 clause 17, of the US Consitution which establishes that the Federal Government has no authority to establish any presence with the State without express permission from the State.
“As Governor, you have the authority to deny this intrusion upon our State, our People, and our Constitution,” said Waurishuk. “The Capitol Police are not elected or controlled by anyone chosen by the people of Florida, nor do local and state law enforcement have any jurisdiction.”
“As Chairman of the Hillsborough County Republican Party, myself and my county party are asking you to please defend the U.S. Constitution, the Florida Constitution, and the rights of every Floridian from this unconstitutional intrusion upon our right as a State to self-govern,” concluded Waurishuk.
It’s not quite clear yet if the Governor will deny this request from the Capitol Police, but The Free Press was told that the DeSantis will read the letter and consider his options. However, the Governor’s Office did respond to the Capitol Police statement and opening of the Tampa Office.
In an email statement, Governor DeSantis said, “Congressional Democrats should focus more on the dangerous “defund the police” movement taking hold of the left — and less on political schemes.”
Governor DeSantis’ Office added, “We have one question for the Capitol Police in response to their statement about “threats” in Florida that, they say, informed the plan to open a field office here: When have our Florida law enforcement (or the FBI) ever fallen short when Capitol Police have asked for help here?”
We will update this story as details emerge.
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This is the federal government’s forward plan to diminish state authority therefore stripping reside fence of their rights and liberties. It is another control tactic from the Dems that is unlawful. Every governor and mayor should adamantly reject any establishment of Capitol Police in the state and cities. The Capitol Police only has jurisdiction in DC.
The Capitol Police have arrested 500 people for their actions on Jan 6. That crowd is estimated at 9000. DOJ is looking to investigate more of the crowd, and apparently a number of them come from Florida & California. The Republican Party has made it clear that they are not interested in curbing domestic terrorism, capturing the people who invaded the Capitol, or getting justice for the people who died in the event.
Many questions need to be answered concerning the organization, planning and funding of Jan 6.
Let the Capitol Police do their job.