Federal Judge Michael Simon interferes with the lawful and proper use of Federal Officers in Portland

An overly political Democrat judge has issued an order that endangers federal officers in the lawful performance of their duties in Portland                                                       

In an order supplementing a prior order, Judge Simon has now enforced his previously self-created and novel carve out for 'journalists" and "lawful observers" to not heed the lawful and necessary orders by local police officers for crowds to clear out of particular and limited areas.  >>>  Now, that has been extended to include similar directions and actions by federal officers in defense of the federal courthouse

In this instance, the U.S. Department of Justice had argued that the actions by the federal officers were necessary for the safety of the officers and to protect federal property under siege by a violent, riotous mob of ANTIFA and other agitators and their followers

On July 23, 2020, U.S.District Judge Michael Howard Simon issued a temporary restraining order lasting at least two weeks that prevents federal agents from using force against journalists and something called "legal observers".....

In an earlier case involving local police,  Judge Simon had ruled that journalists and legal observers were exempt from police orders requiring protesters to disperse even though an unlawful assembly had been declared. 

Federal lawyers had since intervened, arguing that journalists and others should have to leave when otherwise properly ordered to do so by federal agents in defense of federal property in Portland.

One wonders why it is even proper for Judge Simon to hear this case. The case was brought by the ACLU and before becoming a federal judge, Simon had done work for the ACLU.  Furthermore, he is married to U.S. Representative Suzanne Bonamici, someone virulently opposed to the programs of the Trump Administration, and also virulently opposed to the federal officers being in Portland

Just last week, Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden,  were joined by Representatives Earl Blumenauer and Suzanne Bonamici, in calling for the offices of the IGs for the U.S. Departments of Justice and  Homeland Security to investigate what they call the "unrequested presence and violent actions of federal forces in Portland."   In a press release they stated this,  "[T]hese acts are profound offenses against Americans. We demand not only that these acts end, but also that they remove their forces immediately from our state."  With respect to all that, Judge Simon's wife specifically added this:  "Oregonians must be able to exercise their First Amendment rights safely, without being picked up and detained by unidentified federal officers....  We will not rest until we get answers on behalf of Oregonians."

Judge Simon was initially given an interim appointment by President Barack Obama in 2010 and was finally approved over strenuous Republican opposition in 2011. During his career, Judge Simon has issued several orders blocking actions by the Trump Administration, mostly in the area of immigration.