A federal judge on Wednesday gave a highly skeptical reception to the state of Oregon’s effort to push back against aggressive tactics the Trump administration is using in response to unrest focused on federal courthouses and buildings in Portland
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Mosman, however, suggested that the relief the state was seeking — chiefly an order that the federal officers briefly identify themselves and the grounds for their actions — might be too limited to give much solace to would-be protesters. “I did not know whether the men were police or far-right extremists, who, in my experience, frequently don military-like outfits and harass left-leaning protesters in Portland,” Pettibone wrote. “My first thought was to run. I made it about a half-block before I realized there would be no escape from them.”
Morrell complained that subjecting the federal agents to a restraining order would put an unfair burden on law enforcement. “If we want to talk about a chilling effect, one can easily imagine this having a serious chilling effect on the way in which a law enforcement officer attempts to discharge his core duties,” the Justice Department lawyer said.
The intense focus on the actions of federal agents in Portland comes as Trump announced plans on Wednesday to “surge“ federal law enforcement officers into other cities. During a White House event, the president said that the move was needed because local officials were undermining their police forces for political reasons.
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