WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., joined Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., and several of his colleagues in sending a letter to Attorney General William Barr concerning the recent rise in individuals willing to justify targeting law enforcement officers for harassment, assault, and deadly attacks.

“Over the past three months, our nation has been in the midst of a vital debate about the relationship between law enforcement and our communities,” wrote the senators. “All of us agree that this is a crucial debate, which is why each of us supported Senator Tim Scott’s JUSTICE Act to provide for more accountability and transparency in law enforcement. But while we seek to support law enforcement, this debate has also exposed the radical voices of those who would “defund” our police departments.”

The letter continued, “The brave men and women in our law enforcement community are essential to public safety and stability.

“We know that you and the Justice Department are doing everything you can to protect the lives of law enforcement, and to prosecute violent offenders who assault and kill law enforcement officers,” the senators continued. “However, given the attacks we are seeing against law enforcement officers, we believe it is time to consider whether your Department needs additional authorities, resources, and tools to combat this activity.”

Joining senators Toomey and Tillis in sending the letter to Barr were senators Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), David Perdue (R-Ga.), and Mike Rounds (R-S.D.).