After a day of conflicting messages from the federal government, where they told my staff repeatedly that there was no surge of additional personnel to Seattle, it appears they are doing just that.
— Governor Jay Inslee (@GovInslee) July 24, 2020
It is critical that the administration only provide what is needed by state and local officials, and do not engage unless asked.
— Governor Jay Inslee (@GovInslee) July 24, 2020
This set by a local photojournalist in WA State:
Again, how they�ll be used I couldn�t tell you. Yes they both have some seriously hardcore capabilities, but they can also just carry a lot of people and stuff. It�s also possible, though it doesn�t feel probable, that they�re here on transit.
— JDL (@photoJDL) July 24, 2020
The history of the P3, for anyone still reading, is as a long-time submarine hunter for the Navy that was introduced in the early 60s. It�s low and slow capability paired with long time on target has made it popular with drug interdiction and counter terrorism at CBP/DHS.
— JDL (@photoJDL) July 24, 2020
Thanks to @Aviation_Intel, I can confirm what I suspected: that these were used to drop off Portland�s federal officers some time ago, and were used as priority transport. Also, photos from @TheStranger appear to show riot shields coming out from cargo after tonight�s arrival.
— JDL (@photoJDL) July 24, 2020
So if you a resident of the Emerald City (Seattle, WA) then I suggest that you keep the news on and plan carefully for tonight.
#PeaceOut
h/t to dryeyes in the comments for the link to this SeattleTimes story:
… an unspecified number of Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents headed to the Seattle area Thursday to beef up security at federal government buildings in the city, a spokesman for the Federal Protective Service (FPS) said. Both CBP and FPS are agencies within DHS.
A federal government plane landed at Boeing Field on Thursday evening and “more than a dozen personnel drove off to an unknown destination,” King County Executive Dow Constantine tweeted just before 9 p.m.
“Let me be clear: this community rejects Trump’s unconstitutional use of federal force. It is a transparent attempt to intimidate. But we will not be intimidated,” Constantine tweeted. “Know your rights. Stay vigilant, stay safe, and stay away from federal agents.”
h/t to DrWho in the comments on Mayor Durkan’s messaging on the matter last night:
Following my letter earlier this week, I spoke with Acting Secretary Wolf this afternoon � he told me directly that DHS has no plans � and sees no need � to send federal forces to Seattle. He committed to notifying Chief Best and myself should that change.
— Mayor Jenny Durkan (@MayorJenny) July 24, 2020
Should federal forces intervene like they have in Portland, we are prepared to pursue every legal recourse. A federal judge in Portland has entered an order limiting the actions of federal forces there. We are prepared to seek the same relief if necessary.
— Mayor Jenny Durkan (@MayorJenny) July 24, 2020
It appears the Indivisible folk are gearing up to combat Trumps Goons in Seattle: