Attorney General
William Barr on Friday ordered the establishment of a task force to counter what he called "anti-government extremists" committing violence as
protests against
police brutality convulse the
United States.
In a memo to law enforcement and prosecutors released by the Department of Justice, Barr said alleged extremists had "engaged in indefensible acts of violence designed to undermine public order," including attacking police officers, damaging property and threatening innocent people.
Although largely peaceful, some demonstrators have turned violent, which President
Donald Trump and his allies have blamed on left-wing extremists among the
protesters.