Federal Officers Are Leaving Portland, Says Oregon Governor

TOPLINE

The Trump administration has agreed to withdraw federal officers from Portland, Oregon, following weeks of violent clashes with Black Lives Matter protesters.

KEY FACTS

Chief Critic 

On Tuesday, Attorney General William Barr defended the Trump administration’s deployment of federal officers to Portland before the House Judiciary Committee. “In the wake of George Floyd’s death, violent rioters and anarchists have hijacked legitimate protests to wreak senseless havoc and destruction on innocent victims,” said Barr. “The current situation in Portland is a telling example.” 

News Peg

Responding to accusations from Democrats, including Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., that federal forces are being sent to cities across the country because “the president wants footage for his campaign ads,” Barr insisted the administration is “trying to protect federal functions and federal buildings.” 

Key Background

The Department of Homeland Security deployed 114 officers to Portland earlier this month after Trump gave the agency new powers to protect federal property under attack through an executive order. Since then, federal presence in the city has stoked tensions at nightly protests, resulting in escalating violence and injuries for both protesters and feds. Federal agents have deployed tear gas, less-than-lethal munitions and flash bangs against Black Lives Matter protests every night for over two weeks, with local officials claiming the Trump administration’s intervention itself is the cause of increased violence in the city—not the protesters. 

Further Reading

“‘Very serious conversations’ underway to remove federal officers from Portland” (Oregon Public Broadcasting)

“More Federal Forces Heading To Portland” (Forbes)

“Portland Inmates Complain Tear Gas From Protests Is ‘Flooding’ Their Cells” (Forbes)