On Wednesday, the Trump administration and the governor of Oregon agreed to remove the now infamous federal agents from downtown Portland. However, the Department of Homeland Security said it would maintain its agents in the city until they felt that government-owned property was secure, creating a conflicting narrative around the agents’ presence in that city.
Initially, the federal agents were sent to Portland to protect its courthouse, which has been the principle gathering spot for Black Lives Matter protestors since late May. However, violent clashes between officials and protesters pushed the Trump administration as well as Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Chad Wolfe to reconsider the need for federal officials in that city.
The acting head of Homeland Security has rejected the requests of Governor Brown to leave Portland. He says they’re there to complete a mission whether Oregon wants them or not.
This is only the beginning, folks…..
— Pam Resists (@ResisterForever) July 18, 2020
The departure of Customs and Border Protection as well as Immigration and Customs Enforcement from downtown Portland is scheduled for today, July 30.
The city’s Democratic governor, Kate Brown, made the announcement on Twitter last night.
After my discussions with VP Pence and others, the federal government has agreed to withdraw federal officers from Portland. They have acted as an occupying force & brought violence. Starting tomorrow, all Customs and Border Protection & ICE officers will leave downtown Portland.
— Governor Kate Brown (@OregonGovBrown) July 29, 2020
Governor Brown: Feds have agreed to leave.
A victory for the Wall of Moms, the Leaf Blower Dads, the Hockey Stick Brigade, Riot Ribs, the War Veterans, the BLM, the drummers, and all the freedom-loving citizens of Portland pic.twitter.com/NEdHG9TXRf
— Paul Robeson (@No_Signal00) July 29, 2020
However, Secretary Wolf contradicted the governor and said that the DHS would continue coordinating efforts with the Oregon State Police to ensure the protection of federal property from attacks and arson.
“DHS law enforcement that are there today will remain in Portland until we are assured that Oregon State Police and plans that the governor has put together is successful,” Wolf said.
According to the DHS, federal officers will not be patrolling the court house directly but will remain in the city.
“They will be ready as a sort of standby status if they’re needed,” said DHS Deputy Secretary Ken Cuccinelli. “If peace occurs and then holds, we will draw down the officers we have moved into Portland as the need dissipates.”
On the same day that the Trump administration announced the federal agents’ pending withdrawal, they also revealed that they would expand their presence to Detroit, Milwaukee, and Cleveland.
