The Trump administration is ready to escalate the federal response to violent protests in Portland, Oregon.
The U.S. Marshals Service is preparing an additional 100 deputy U.S. marshals to the city, where rioters are clashing with federal officers on a nightly basis while targeting federal property, the Washington Post reports.
After the report was published, the U.S. Marshals Service released a statement clarifying that they have only worked to identify up to 100 agents to send into the District of Oregon should the need arise.
“USMS did not send 100 more deputy US Marshals to Portland last week. The agency took steps to identify up to 100 personnel to send to the District of Oregon in case they were needed to relieve or supplement deputies permanently stationed in the district. They may also be used to rotate with personnel already sent there to support district operations during the civil unrest mission to insure the function and safety of judicial proceedings,” U.S. Marshals Service spokesman Drew Wade said.
“We remained committed to securing justice for all and we will take all steps necessary to assist the federal courts in continuing their operations. We are also determined to reduce the violence aimed at the federal courthouse in Portland by violent extremists,” he added.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection may also reportedly send an additional 50 agents into the area, but a decision on that idea has not been finalized.
Portland has been a hot spot of protests for more than 60 consecutive days, beginning after the Memorial Day death of George Floyd. Increased vandalism and violence in recent weeks has concerned federal authorities that the present number of federal agents and local law enforcement officers may not be able to contain the increased aggression of rioters.
Federal officers have been hurt by “mortar-style” fireworks launched at them and stunned by lasers flashed in their eyes. Demonstrators have also thrown rocks, bottles, and other debris at agents while also attempting to topple a fence guarding the federal courthouse with a chain.
The Portland Police Department declared a riot over the weekend as thousands of protesters gathered Saturday evening outside a federal courthouse, some of whom used vehicles to block several streets and targeted authorities that were present.
Police used multiple rounds of tear gas to disperse the crowd after determining the demonstrators “maintained this level of violence and tumultuous conduct and were either intentionally or recklessly creating a grave risk of public alarm.” Twenty-six arrests were made on Saturday alone.
Sources told the Washington Examiner last week that the FBI initiated an investigation into who is carrying out and organizing the violence against law enforcement.
