Title 18, Chapter 7, Section 112-B of the U.S. criminal code makes it a federal offense to interfere with the lawful activities of a foreign diplomatic officer or facility. So why doesn’t the Trump administration direct the Secret Service or Diplomatic Security Service to remove Code Pink protesters from the Venezuelan embassy in Washington, D.C.?
The Washington Post reports that Code Pink has turned that embassy into its own little residence, against the wishes of interim President Juan Guaidó’s U.S.-recognized government. These Americans claim they are working to counter American imperialism, but in fact they are unlawfully occupying a foreign embassy without its government’s permission. That irony might be amusing weren’t this issue so serious. The illegitimate government of Nicolás Maduro says Code Pink can remain there, but Maduro has no recognition from the U.S. government.
This really isn’t that complicated. Trump should order the responsible U.S. agencies to remove Code Pink. If the protesters resist, they should be arrested and charged under Section 112-B. Then President Guaidó can be invited to retake control of his diplomatic facility.
