Two weeks ago, the Associated Press reported that President Trump deployed unidentified agents from the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to Portland, Oregon, where they were filmed getting out of unmarked vehicles and abducting protesters off the street.

A few days later, House Democrats responded by obediently advancing an appropriations bill that funds the department — with no apparent restrictions on such deployments.

“This bill as a whole will strengthen our security and keep Americans safe while upholding our American values of fairness and respect,” said Democratic House Appropriations Committee chairwoman Nita Lowey, amid growing outrage at the situation in Oregon.