Esper may be looking to have a conversation with Attorney General William Barr, acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf and their teams on the matter in the near future, Hoffman said, but did not specify a timeline.
Hoffman’s comments come amid growing alarm about federal agents dressed as troops entering Portland, Oregon, this week on the order of President Donald Trump. Trump threatened to send additional agents to other major cities, including New York City and Philadelphia, if the “liberal Democrats” in charge do not suppress civil unrest.
Hoffman emphasized that there are no plans to send active-duty troops to Portland. The federal police and active duty military operate under different authorities regarding their interactions with the American public. Under the Posse Comitatus Act, active-duty troops cannot interact with civilians unless the President grants them an express exception under the Insurrection Act.
The footage of federal agents in Portland this week echoed the opening days of the June protests, when law enforcement agencies used violence against mostly peaceful protesters. In a White House speech amid the protests, Trump threatened to use the Insurrection Act to deploy active-duty military forces on the streets of American cities.
