Federal agents, many wearing masks, oversaw a vehicle checkpoint in the Ivy City neighborhood of Washington DC, part of President Trump’s federal takeover of law enforcement functions in the capital city.
Drivers were directed to either carry on or move into one of two lanes where they’d be detained. Several were issues citations for infractions like window tint, while at least four were handcuffed, of which at least three were taken away by police.
Washington DC’s MPD officers performed most of the frontline enforcement, while the feds oversaw the operation, assisted, and communicated by phone.
“Unconstitutional, go f*** yourselves,” a driver yelled after being allowed through the checkpoint without being pulled over.
“Get him, he’s on his phone!” fruitlessly yelled an MPD officer in response.
Livestream:
An unmarked vehicle was pulled into the line for those detained for further investigation.
When it turned out there was a uniformed police officer in the car, he was promptly let through.
Some other drivers were removed from their cars and put in handcuffs. The reasons for most arrests were not immediately clear to onlookers.
One motorcyclist was arrested at the conclusion of a field sobriety test.
“Please let me see you do it!” he asked officers after having to stand on one foot.
“What the f*** are you doing?” a man yelled at federal agents and police officers as the checkpoint concluded. “Quit your jobs! This isn’t helping anyone!”
“You’re going to hell, all of you!” he added, before an apparent supporter of the checkpoint quizzed him: “How do you know they’re going to hell?… Make sure you know who goes to hell, when you say they’re going to hell.”
“They’re kidnapping our neighbors off the street!” the man replied.
