As Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler continues to make excuses for weeks of violent rioting in his city, the federal government has no plans to remove federal law enforcement officers from defending federal property.
"These individuals we're talking about are not protestors, they're criminals. Every night they're willfully coordinating, organizing and planning to intentionally attack and destroy federal property and harm federal agents and officers. Those are criminals, that's who we're talking about, that's why we're there and Bret, we're not going anywhere," Acting Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Mark Morgan said Monday during an interview with Fox News.
Acting Deputy DHS Secretary Ken Cuccinelli is accusing anarchists of carrying out acts of terrorism.
“These are not peaceful protests. This is violent, criminal activity. And when they show up directed at law enforcement, it’s terrorism. Law enforcement officers and agents have been targeted in the attacks,” Cuccinelli told the Washington Examiner. “We are talking about violent anarchists who are engaging in both violence, to the point of terrorism on occasion, and who have been assaulting federal property and officers night after night."
Acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf has visited Portland in recent days to reassure federal law enforcement officers and agents that the Trump administration has their back.
Let’s get this right. “Protestors” imply they were peacefully exercising their 1st amendment rights. Instead, DHS officers were assaulted with lasers and frozen water bottles from violent criminals attempting to tear down federal property. 2 officers were injured. Facts matter. https://t.co/U2CdAT0c9G
— Acting Secretary Chad Wolf (@DHS_Wolf) July 17, 2020
Our men and women in uniform are patriots. We will never surrender to violent extremists on my watch. pic.twitter.com/kG8w8kyw9E
— Acting Secretary Chad Wolf (@DHS_Wolf) July 17, 2020
Here is what I saw in Portland yesterday. pic.twitter.com/B0xvTTYvIj
— Acting Secretary Chad Wolf (@DHS_Wolf) July 17, 2020
President Trump is also weighing in on the situation as he plans to send additional federal resources to cities around the country this week.
We are trying to help Portland, not hurt it. Their leadership has, for months, lost control of the anarchists and agitators. They are missing in action. We must protect Federal property, AND OUR PEOPLE. These were not merely protesters, these are the real deal!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 19, 2020