Acting Homeland Security Sec. Chad Wolf said federal officers would “not retreat” from Portland, Oregon, and characterized criticism of the officers' actions as 'smear attacks' and 'disgusting.'
Chad Wolf, acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, addresses a news conference Tuesday in Washington, D.C., on the situation in Portland, Ore.Chad Wolf, acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, addresses a news conference Tuesday in Washington, D.C., on the situation in Portland, Ore.The acting head of Department of Homeland Security defended the controversial deployment of federal agents to Portland, Ore.
However, he said,"what is occurring in Portland in the early hours of every morning is not peaceful protesting," adding that individual protesters"are organized and they have one mission in mind: to burn down or to cause extreme damage to the federal courthouse and to law enforcement officers.", which has been the focus of some of the protests.Federal officers have arrested 43 people in Portland since July Fourth, according to DHS.
A decision by President Trump to send federal agents into the streets of Portland has been met with stiff criticism – especially in light of allegations that federal officers in unmarked vehicles have arrested protesters. Last week, acting Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Ken CuccinelliWolf, speaking generally, characterized criticism of the federal officers' actions as"smear attacks" and"disgusting.
"That is their everyday uniform, and it is completely appropriate," he said."They have insignia on their uniforms that read 'police,' and they have patches ... that indicate which agency they are from."In the wake of the arrests by federal agents, several lawsuits questioning the administration's authority to use broad policing have been filed, challenging the move on constitutional grounds.
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