Acting Commissioner of US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Mark Morgan criticized Senator Elizabeth Warren’s “ridiculous and outrageous” claim that President Trump could deploy federal forces to prevent a peaceful transfer of power if the former Vice President Joe Biden wins the 2020 election.
Morgan made the comment during an appearance on “Fox News @Night” on Wednesday after host Shannon Bream noted that one of the agencies Warren wants a commitment from is the Department of Homeland Security. Warren said he is concerned that federal agents will be used if Trump loses the next election and refuses to step down.
Warren said “he asked them to pledge that they will not let Trump use these forces in case he loses the election and does not want to leave office peacefully.”
“I want to hear that commitment. I want to hear it in their own words and if they don’t say it, I want to hear that silence because at a time like this their silence will scream, “he continued.
Morgan ignored his comments.
“That is pure politics,” Morgan said in response to Warren’s comments. “I’m not even going to go into that. That doesn’t even deserve an answer. ”
“It is ridiculous and outrageous,” he continued. “What you’re seeing in Portland has nothing to do with those comments.”
Morgan went on to say that the federal agents were in “Portland to absolutely address a specific situation that is happening, and that there are more than 60 days of violence directed against the federal building and federal law enforcement officers. That’s what it’s about.”
“That’s just an absurd comment,” said Morgan.
In an interview earlier this month on “Fox News Sunday,” the president declined to agree to accept the election results in November.
FIREWORKS, THEN TEAR GAS: 62 NIGHT IN PORTLAND SEE MORE CLASHES; TRUMP IN TALKS TO REMOVE FEDERAL OFFICERS
“I have to see. … No, I’m not going to say yes. I’m not going to say no, and I didn’t do it the last time either,” Trump said when pressured during his interview with host Chris Wallace.
The comment went viral, sparking many headlines and stories that theorized what could happen if the president loses the November general election, but will not accept the results and will admit.
Morgan appeared on “Fox News @Night” a day before federal agents who clashed with protesters in Portland began a “phasing out” of downtown, according to the Oregon governor. Morgan, however, insisted Wednesday that federal agents will not leave Portland until they are certain that there is no threat to federal property.
Oregon Democratic Governor Kate Brown tweeted Wednesday: “After my conversations with Vice President Pence and others, the federal government agreed to withdraw federal officials from Portland.”
“They have acted as an occupying force and brought violence,” he continued. “Starting tomorrow, all Customs and Border Protection officers and ICE will leave downtown Portland.”
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf said in a statement that he and Brown have been in contact and reached a joint plan to end “violent activity in Portland targeting federal properties and law enforcement officers.”
“That plan includes the strong presence of the Oregon State Police in downtown Portland,” said Wolf. “State and local police will begin to protect properties and streets, especially those surrounding federal properties, which have been under night attack for the past two months. The Oregon State Police will coordinate with Federal Protective Service (FPS) officers to ensure that all federal facilities remain protected and safe. “
Morgan reacted to Brown’s tweet on Wednesday saying: “The secretary has been very clear about their conversations and about what was agreed.”
“Your listeners need to know that we are not going anywhere right now,” Morgan said.
“The governor has authorized the state police to work shoulder to shoulder with the federal authorities standing side by side to address the ongoing violence and lawlessness on the streets of the city of Portland,” he continued. “That is what we should be doing, that is what we have been doing for a long time, but we will not leave until we are absolutely certain that the threat against that court and the officers within is gone.”
“Until then, we are going to stay in Portland,” Morgan said.
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Portland has experienced more than 60 consecutive nights of protests following the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis. Portland police officers clashed with protesters before federal agents arrived on July 4 to protect the United States Mark O. Hatfield Courthouse, the Multnomah County Justice Center and other government buildings.
Paul Steinhauser and Danielle Wallace of Fox News contributed to this report.
