“These federal officials have acted as an occupying force,” said Governor Brown.
After the riots and public outcry over clashes between protesters and law enforcement, there will be a “gradual withdrawal” of Portland federal officials, the Oregon governor announced Wednesday.
“These federal officers have acted as an occupying force, rejected accountability, and brought violence and conflict to our community. Starting Thursday, all Customs and Border Protection and ICE officers will leave downtown Portland, and soon after they will begin to return to their homes, “said the governor. Kate Brown said in a statement, adding that the withdrawal agreement came after “my repeated requests.”
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf said in a statement that a joint plan with the governor “includes a strong presence of the Oregon State Police in downtown Portland.”
“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,” said Wolf.
The Department of Homeland Security will keep federal law enforcement personnel present in the city “until we are confident that the Hatfield Federal Courthouse and other federal properties will no longer be attacked and that the Portland headquarters will remain secure.” , according to Wolf.
This is a developing story. Please check for updates.
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