Oregon governor says some federal officers are leaving Portland

Source: The Hill | July 29, 2020 | Justin Wise and Brett Samuels

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown (D) announced Wednesday that the Trump administration has agreed to begin withdrawing federal tactical teams from Portland, Ore., which for weeks has been the site of violent clashes between officers and protesters.

Brown said in a statement that an agreement for federal agents to leave the city was reached following discussions with administration officials including Vice President Pence. She said that officers from Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement would begin their withdrawal on Thursday.

“These federal officers have acted as an occupying force, refused accountability, and brought violence and strife to our community,” Brown said.

“Our local Oregon State Police officers will be downtown to protect Oregonians’ right to free speech and keep the peace,” she added. “Let’s center the Black Lives Matter movement’s demands for racial justice and police accountability. It’s time for bold action to reform police practices.”

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is expected to retain a presence in the city, however, and the Trump administration pushed back on the suggestion that agents would begin leaving as early as Thursday. Brown said a “limited contingent of federal officials” will stay focused on protecting the interior of a federal courthouse that has been at the center of unrest.

Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf was less definitive, saying only that an agreement had been reached for Oregon State Police to take on an increased role in downtown Portland.

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