Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky objected to the federal presence. “We cannot give up liberty for security,” he tweeted
In the face of opposition from the mayor, the governor and the city’s leading newspaper, the Trump administration on Monday said it would keep using unidentified federal law enforcement officers to round up “anarchists” in Portland, Ore., and suggested it would expand the practice to other U.S. cities — ones with Democratic mayors.
Last week, officials in Oregon expressed outrage after Department of Homeland Security officers dressed in quasi-military uniforms but not bearing identification were picking up protesters in unmarked vans. One man alleged he was detained at a federal courthouse and let go with no paperwork or record of his arrest.
Over the weekend, a “Wall of Moms” joined the protests with chained arms, chanting “Feds stay clear! Moms are here!” outside the courthouse. They stood with the crowd until it was dispersed by federal officers with tear gas and flash-bangs.
“The Homeland Security Investigations, or HSI, agents are set to assist other federal law enforcement and Chicago police in crime-fighting efforts, according to sources familiar with the matter, though a specific plan on what the agents will be doing had not been made public,” read the story by reporters Gregory Pratt and Jeremy Gorner.
Wolf listed dozens of allegations against “violent anarchists,” including shooting fireworks into the courthouse and assaulting officers. The document also noted graffiti , damaged fencing and lasers directed at law enforcement personnel and aircraft . At least 13 people have been charged with crimes related to the protests.
Neither Wolf nor Cuccinelli has been confirmed by the Senate; Wolf is Trump’s third acting DHS head and fifth overall. Officials in Oregon, ranging from the governor and U.S. senators to mayors and county commissioners, have continually denounced the federal presence, stating that it’s theater for right-wing media.
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