FARGO (KFGO) - U.S. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid has immersed himself in the Dakota Access Pipeline debate. The Nevada Democrat used the Senate floor to criticize how law enforcement is handling the protests.
“Police have used rubber bullets, tear gas, grenades, compression grenades” Reid said. “The violence at Standing Rock must end.”
Law enforcement officers have repeatedly denied using grenades against pipeline protesters. North Dakota Sen. John Hoeven was asked by KFGO News if Reid should retract his statement.
“That’s incorrect, and he should get the facts and find out that our law enforcement did not use grenades.” Hoeven said. “They were showing restraint and professionalism and actually protecting people and trying to keep them safe.”
Lt. Gov. Drew Wrigley has said there’s evidence that homemade explosives are being assembled by the protesters. Investigators found propane cylinders, large rocks and glass jars that could be used in Molotov cocktails.