CBP chief: ‘Criminals’ in Portland used metal spikes to target federal vehicles

“Early this morning, metal spikes were used by criminals in Portland to puncture the tires of @CBP vehicles,” he said.

In recent days, federal agents have established a presence in Portland in order to protect a federal courthouse there. Some have claimed that these officers are snatching innocent protesters off the street, in some cases using unmarked vehicles.

On Friday, a federal judge denied the Oregon attorney general’s motion to restrict federal police activity in the city. In his decision, the judge wrote, “The State has presented just one example of an arrest without probable cause and one example of an unreasonable seizure.” He added, “It has presented no evidence of any official orders or policies and has presented no evidence that these allegedly illegal seizures are a widespread practice.”

In a post to Twitter last night, Morgan listed some of the tactics he has observed from rioters on the streets of Portland, including throwing flaming objects, shooting ball bearings at officers, and directing fireworks at the courthouse’s entry. He also detailed injuries suffered by a few of his officers, stating that one suffered a chemical burn.

“These are not the actions of peaceful protesters,” he said. “These are the actions of violent anarchists who are looking to harm federal law enforcement and federal property. This violence must end. Local leadership needs to step up, denounce these actions, and regain order.”

Protests in the city have persisted for weeks since the death of George Floyd in late May in Minneapolis police custody.

The inspectors general from the departments of Justice and Homeland Security announced on Thursday that they will investigate the actions by federal law enforcement in both Portland and Washington, D.C.