PORTLAND, OR – As Portland protests continue to devolve into riots on a regular basis, President Trump echoes his call for the mayor and governor to accept federal assistance.
Specifically, the President urges Mayor Ted Wheeler and Governor Kate Brown to call up the National Guard.
Mayor Wheeler sent an email to the President with an attached pdf document on Thursday, declining the offer for assistance.
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler launched a searing attack against President Trump, accusing him of inciting violence in his city https://t.co/obvHYJWPh1 pic.twitter.com/h7n3VHC9KP
— Reuters (@Reuters) August 30, 2020
The document, on City of Portland letterhead reads:
“Dear President Trump:
“Yet again, you said you offered to aid Portland by sending in federal law enforcement to our city. On behalf of the City of Portland: No thanks.
“We don’t need your politics of division and demagoguery. Portlanders are onto you. We have already seen your reckless disregard for human life in your bumbling response to the COVID pandemic. And we know you’ve reached the conclusion that images of violence or vandalism are your only ticket to reelection.
“There is no place for looting, arson, or vandalism in our city. There is no room here for racist violence or those who wish to bring their ideology of hate into our community. Those who commit criminal acts will be apprehended and prosecuted under the law.
“Tens of thousands of Portlanders have peacefully protested and marched for the noble cause of fixing our broken criminal justice system. They are part of the proud progressive tradition of Portlanders fighting for justice – from racial justice to economic justice to environmental justice.
“When you sent the Feds to Portland last month, you made the situation far worse. Your offer to repeat that disaster is a cynical attempt to stoke fear and distract us from the real work of our city.
“In Portland, we are focused on coming together as a community to solve the serious challenges we face due to systemic racism, a global pandemic and an economic recession.
“Stay away, please.
“Signed,
“Ted Wheeler Mayor of Portland”
Ted Wheeler shows a complete lack of leadership.https://t.co/DEiD7sbdHY
— David J Harris Jr (@DavidJHarrisJr) August 31, 2020
The feds that Mayor Wheeler referred to in his letter were described by KGW8 News as a collaborative effort between four federal agencies.
Those agencies were the U.S. Marshals, the Federal Protective Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Homeland Security Investigative Unit.
Agents from each were sent to Portland on a rotating schedule in early July. They were dispatched specifically to protect federal properties and federal employees working on those properties. They were not dispatched to put an end to the rioting.
The agents withdrew from Portland after Governor Brown reportedly reached an agreement with the Trump Administration. She requested their departure after three weeks of deployment to the city.
However, federal agents are still posted up outside federal property nightly and during “demonstrations” to prevent damage being done to the buildings.
Some of the caravan is headed right into downtown. Some protesters yelling from the sidewalks. pic.twitter.com/v7oLcyb6Tr
— Mike Baker (@ByMikeBaker) August 30, 2020
The following day after Mayor Wheeler’s letter of decline to the President, Portland Police declared a riot in the city, after fires were set outside of the Portland Police Association building.
KTVZ News provided details of the incident, sharing photos of the fire and graffiti damage to the police union building. Flammable debris and liquid were also left laying against the building.
This was presumably done with the hope that it would help engulf the building in flames when ignited. A nearby dumpster had also been set on fire.
The power line to the building was cut, and demonstrators blocked traffic in both directions of the street. Officers were assaulted with rocks and other objects while attempting to move demonstrators back and put out the fire. Numerous arrests were made by police.
Also on Saturday, opposing groups clashed as Portland based Patriot Prayer participated in a pro-Trump caravan demonstration through downtown. The Trump 2020 and American flag bearing group faced opposition from Black Lives Matter/Antifa demonstrators and supporters.
Drivers going west all have Trump flags. Drivers going north are flipping them all off. pic.twitter.com/IzzawvDu2H
— Mike Baker (@ByMikeBaker) August 30, 2020
As the very large caravan passed through the area, demonstrators yelled obscenities and threw objects at the vehicles. Containers holding urine were also thrown at the vehicles. Some PP demonstrators shot paintballs and pepper spray into the crowds of shouting people who were throwing things at them.
Some of that paintball fire was returned by others in the crowd.
A short time after the caravan departed the area, a Patriot Prayer supporter was reportedly shot in the chest by an unknown assailant. The victim succumbed to his fatal gunshot wound at the scene, as police medics rushed to treat him.
The Portland Police Homicide Unit is currently investigating the case, and has issued a statement seeking assistance from the public. Homicide detectives are seeking eyewitness accounts of the events that transpired leading up to the shooting. They also seek any photo or video evidence not already circulating via social media.
President Trump offered some heavy criticism of the Mayor via twitter on Sunday morning, while commenting on the previous night’s events.
Once again issuing a call for the National Guard, the President said:
“The big backlash going on in Portland cannot be unexpected after 95 days of watching an (sp) incompetent Mayor admit that he has no idea what he is doing. The people of Portland won’t put up with no safety any longer. The Mayor is a FOOL. Bring in the National Guard!”
…They must stop calling these anarchists and agitators “peaceful protestors”. Come back into the real world! The Federal Government is ready to end this problem immediately upon your request.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 25, 2020
Earlier in the week, Governor Brown had also declined National Guard assistance via twitter. She appeared to indicate that the President was being dramatic, for the sake of politics. Her declination came a day after a riot had also been declared by Portland Police on Monday.
KATU News reported that the riot was declared after demonstrators set fires against the same Portland Police Association building. In that instance, 25 demonstrators were arrested.
President Trump addressed the Governor and Mayor via twitter, urging them to call up the National Guard, as “should have been done 3 months ago…”
Governor Brown’s response, also via twitter was:
“Oregon isn’t interested in a role in your political theater. The Oregon National Guard is focused on fighting wildfires, distributing PPE & helping with unemployment calls. I’d love to discuss what we actually need: financial resources, N-95 masks & testing supplies.”
No comment out of the Governor’s office, yet, as to whether Saturday night’s violence would also be considered political theater.
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