Faithful Execution of the Laws

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40 U.S.C. §1315(a):

To the extent provided for by transfers made pursuant to the Homeland Security Act of 2002, the Secretary of Homeland Security … shall protect the buildings, grounds, and property that are owned, occupied, or secured by the Federal Government … and the persons on the property.

“Shall,” for those unclear on the concept, means this is a duty.

And let us not forget Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution. The President “shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed ….” That duty also devolves on the President’s subordinate officers.

Should federal officials just pull back and let rioters burn a federal courthouse to the ground? Absolutely not. That would be a dereliction of duty.