Acting Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection Mark Morgan has strongly denied claims that his officers were concealing his identity and exacerbating the unrest in Portland, Oregon.
“It is outrageous and reckless,” Morgan said Saturday about complaints from Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler about his agents.
Wheeler accused the administration of sending troops as part of a political strategy that ultimately “increased tension on our streets.”
“The argument that the mere presence of federal agents and agents causes violence is outrageous and ridiculous, and I think most Americans don’t believe it,” Morgan said on “Cavuto Live.”
“What is happening right now are absolute criminals. They are organizing, planning and coordinating voluntarily, preparing and bringing weapons to these areas with the intention of destroying federal property and damaging federal agents and officials. That is criminal and cannot be justified, “he added.
THE LAWYER OF THE UNITED STATES REQUESTS THAT THE PROBE BE INACTIVE BY THE FEDERAL FIST OF ALLIES OF PORTLAND; THE DHS HEAD WILL NEVER PROMISE TO GIVE US UP
On Friday, Oregon Attorney General Billy Williams requested an investigation into Department of Homeland Security personnel without identification badges who have been captured on video arresting protesters and placing them in unmarked SUVs.
Democratic members of the state Congressional delegation also called on the Department of Justice and the offices of the DHS Inspector General to investigate.
When asked by Fox News host Neil Cavuto about the unidentified officers, Morgan called the accusation a “lie.” He also dismissed concerns about unmarked vehicles, arguing that it is a “standard tactic” for law enforcement.
“Right now, in situations like this, it’s standard procedure: it’s a standard tactic for law enforcement officers to use unmarked cars … Neil, he’s been on his show, where marked vehicles have actually been attacked by criminals, so it just makes sense for the safety of officers and agents, as well as protesters, “he said.
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“They go out, they have reasonable suspicion or probable cause that these people have committed a federal crime by destroying federal property or intentionally trying to physically harm a federal agent or official, and they are going out and absolutely trying to stop those individuals.” Morgan added.
“That is what they should be doing to guarantee law and order. These are criminals, they should be held responsible. As Acting Commissioner, I support men and women 100 percent in what they are doing. These are not strange tactics. “These are absolutely necessary tactics to hold these criminals accountable for their criminal behavior.”
THE MAYOR OF PORTLAND DEMANDS THAT TRUMP KEEP FEDERAL AGENTS “IN THEIR OWN BUILDINGS, OR LEAVE THEM TO OUR CITY”
His comments echoed that of Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf, who tweeted on Friday: “Our uniformed men and women are patriots. We will never surrender to violent extremists under my watch.”
Morgan also told Cavuto that his agency had credible intelligence that protesters were seeking to destroy federal property. “They did exactly that: they attacked, they entered, they smashed windows, they knocked down doors. They tried to enter the building and harm a federal officer,” he said.
Morgan’s comments clashed with those of Oregon politicians such as US Senator Jeff Merkley, a Democrat from Oregon, who suggested that the administration was acting as an “authoritarian” government.
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In a statement, Merkley accused officers of arresting protesters without justification.
“First, they are deploying paramilitary forces without any identification that indicates who they are or who they work for. Second, these officers are snatching people off the street without underlying justification, “he said.
“Both acts are profound offenses against the Americans. We demand not only that these acts end, but also that they immediately remove their forces from our state. Given the appalling nature of the violations against the Oregonians, we are demanding full investigations of them.” “
Fox News’ Adam Shaw contributed to this report.
