The sheriff of Multnomah County, Oregon, rebuffed President Trump’s claim that he endorsed his 2020 reelection bid.
During the debate on Tuesday night, Trump listed several law enforcement organizations that had endorsed him, including a mention of the “Portland sheriff.” Sheriff Mike Reese made it clear that he did not endorse Trump and “never” would.
“In tonight’s presidential debate the President said the ‘Portland Sheriff’ supports him. As the Multnomah County Sheriff I have never supported Donald Trump and will never support him,” Reese tweeted.
“Donald Trump has made my job a hell of a lot harder since he started talking about Portland, but I never thought he’d try to turn my wife against me!” Reese added.
Donald Trump has made my job a hell of a lot harder since he started talking about Portland, but I never thought he’d try to turn my wife against me! #PortlandSheriff #Debates2020 #DebateNight
— Mike Reese (@SheriffReese) September 30, 2020
Mike Schmidt, the district attorney for Multnomah County, also confirmed that Reese is no fan of Trump’s and noted that he would not be supporting Trump, either.
“I know @SheriffReese, and he is a good man. He doesn’t endorse the nonsense we just heard from Trump, and neither do I,” Schmidt wrote.
I know @SheriffReese, and he is a good man. He doesn’t endorse the nonsense we just heard from Trump, and neither do I. https://t.co/096ZjgqH3B
— Mike Schmidt (@DAMikeSchmidt) September 30, 2020
The Portland area has been struggling to control persistent protests and riots for the past several months. Trump sent federal law enforcement into the city to protect federal property over the summer, leading to accusations that they were prompting more violence.
Other sheriffs in Oregon have condemned how local officials have handled the situation in Portland. The sheriffs of Washington and Clackamas Counties recently refused Oregon Gov. Kate Brown’s request for law enforcement back-up in Portland because they do not support how Democratic leaders have allowed the chaos to continue.
