Protesters who clashed with authorities in Portland, Oregon, aren't just facing local police. They are also facing federal officers tackling a new priority for the Department of Homeland Security: preventing what President Trump calls “violent mayhem.”
The Department of Homeland Security has deployed officers in tactical gear from around the country, and from more than a half-dozen federal law enforcement agencies and departments, to Portland, Oregon, as part of a surge aimed at what a senior official said were people taking advantage of demonstrations over“Once we surged federal law enforcement officers to Portland, the agitators quickly got the message,” said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing operation.
Trump, speaking at a military base near Miami on Friday, said Portland officials failed to adequately respond to the protests. “It was out of control,” he said to acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf. “The locals couldn’t handle it and you people are handling it very nicely.” The president has denounced the Black Lives Matter movement and protests calling for the removal of statues honoring racist figures, associating peaceful protests with the sporadic outbursts of vandalism and looting at some demonstrations.
As local governments in Washington, D.C., and Portland have stepped back to allow space for peaceful demonstrations, the Trump administration has stepped up its effort against what the senior official called “opportunistic criminals.” Among the federal forces deployed in Portland are members of an elite Border Patrol tactical team, a special operations unit that is based on the U.S.-Mexico border and has been deployed overseas, including to Iraq and Afghanistan.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Coronavirus may be creating better bosses, who talk less and listen moreThe pandemic has prompted managers to take on new roles: counselor, supporter, wellness coach.
Read more »
Meet Elle's Unexpected New Love Interest In 'The Kissing Booth 2' TrailerWhile Noah's away at Harvard, Elle is getting close with a new mystery man.
Read more »
Overnight, a Hong Kong Hotel Is Transformed Into China’s State Security HQThe rapid arrival in Hong Kong of China’s security agents, handed sweeping powers to police the city under Beijing’s new national security law, underscores how quickly the cosmopolitan financial center is changing.
Read more »
Bill de Blasio paints Black Lives Matter street mural outside Trump TowerNew York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, his wife, other elected officials and volunteers painted the “Black Lives Matter” mural in bright yellow paint directly in front of Trump Tower.
Read more »
Under a new national-security law, Hong Kong is already a changed cityResidents have long feared that it might turn into just another Chinese city. That is happening, fast
Read more »