As the tension in some American cities is increasing and there are new protests every day, even murders from time to time, President Donald Trump announced that he is about to send a “surge” of federal forces. The President elections are in November, therefore,  order and law has recently become one of the re-election bids of Trump’s campaign. 

There have been lots of demonstrations (expanding into civil disorder frequently) mainly in Minnesota, due to the death of an unarmed black man, George Floyd, on May 25th. At the same time gun violence cases have increased in areas such as New York City, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Chicago and so on.

There are cities with more than 50 days of protests. Example of this is Portland, where on Wednesday’s city protest Mayor Ted Wheeler, while attending it, was exposed to tear gas used by federal officers. In an interview he explained that there was nothing to provoke the tear-gassing and it was "an egregious overreaction" by the agents.

The operation is called Operation Legend in honor of a boy, LeGend Taliferro, who was only four years old in June when he was shot in his home in Kansas City while sleeping. His mother supports the president’s decision. The US Department of Justice explained that agents, who will take part in it are from Marshals Service, FBI, etc. and will work along with local enforcements. 

President Donald Trump said the following statement: "This rampage of violence shocks the conscience of our nation.", on the background of the economic crisis caused by the pandemic situation. He added that "In recent weeks there has been a radical movement to defend, dismantle and dissolve our police departments" because of the continuing shootings, killings and violence on the streets. He also accused one of his opponents, Democrats, of being “weak on crime” and was absolutely convinced that "This bloodshed will end."

About 200 federal agents had been sent to Kansas City, Missouri, confirmed by the US Attorney General William Barr. In the near future the same number would be sent to Chicago and to Albuquerque, New Mexico, around 35 more. In difference with the Department of Homeland Security officers, which were sent to Portland to defend citizens “against riots and mob violence", the agents would be occupied with "classic crime fighting". Nevertheless state governors and local officials are against the deployment of federal officers, because policing and ordering is states’ responsibility. Some governors have even shown their dislike of the idea mercilessly, such as Oregon’s, Kate Brown, who was clear in her statement saying this is "a blatant abuse of power," or Mayor Ted Wheeler claiming it is "an attack on our democracy". In addition Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said: "We welcome actual partnership, but we do not welcome dictatorship". 

To take a deeper look at the situation, the protests started in May in Portland with the death of George Floyd and have been held every day and night since then. Recently people have collided with federal officers, who were sent earlier as guardians of the order. There was an accusation against the agents saying that they were driving around the city in civil vehicles and promptly arresting many protesters.  

Moreover in front of a Chicago funeral home were shot more than 14 people suspected in a gang organised attack. According to a survey held by Chicago Sun-Times there has been an increase of 34% in murders for this year in contrast with the last. At the same time, Kansas City Star announced that Kansas City is about to record its highest rate of homicides ever in 2020. 

The US president Trump laid the blame of the violence in those cities on the fact that they are governed “by the radical left". Kansas City is Democratic territory and many people there are opposed to the aggressive “law-and-order” politics. They are of opinion that the president’s plan is not what the city needs. 

Usually during election campaigns such programmes for fighting crime and lawlessness are very popular among the candidates, that’s why many think this action has a target at the conservative supporters more than helping the Kansas citizens. It is even a way to win more supporters before the election this autumn, than actually fighting crime.