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Following weeks of continued protests and unrest in Oregon, Portland’s Mayor Ted Wheeler is thumbing his nose at any offers of federal assistance to restore order.
The defiant Democrat rebuffed the Department of Homeland Security’s offer to help quell violent demonstrations, declaring that his “immediate concern” is actually with the violence by federal officers. Wheeler declined the offer and told federal agents to “stay inside” or “leave” the city.
Wheeler continued his criticism of federal officers and the “life-threatening tactics” they use in messages on Twitter Tuesday, following the intervention of federal law enforcement agencies which dispatched officers to protect federal buildings and personnel as unrest in Portland continues since the May 25 death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody.
“Today the Acting Secretary of Homeland Security asked to speak with me about demonstration activity in Portland. He expressed his concern about ongoing violence and asked how his agency can help,” Wheeler tweeted, referring to Chad Wolf, the Acting Secretary of Homeland Security.
Today the Acting Secretary of Homeland Security asked to speak with me about demonstration activity in Portland. He expressed his concern about ongoing violence and asked how his agency can help.
— Mayor Ted Wheeler (@tedwheeler) July 14, 2020
“I told the Acting Secretary that my biggest immediate concern is the violence federal officers brought to our streets in recent days, and the life-threatening tactics his agents use,” Wheeler added. “We do not need or want their help.”
I told the Acting Secretary that my biggest immediate concern is the violence federal officers brought to our streets in recent days, and the life-threatening tactics his agents use. We do not need or want their help.
— Mayor Ted Wheeler (@tedwheeler) July 14, 2020
Despite the massive destruction to property amid the violent protests, and the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic on Portland residents, the Democrat seemed more concerned about law-breakers being confronted by law enforcement.
Over the past weekend, a demonstrator allegedly trying to break down the door of a federal government building with a hammer used the instrument to strike a federal officer in the head.
Federal agent attacked with hammer by protester as showdown still rages in Portland https://t.co/psfjaGHxBY
— Conservative News (@BIZPACReview) July 12, 2020
Last week, President Donald Trump praised DHS efforts to quell the violence in Portland, remarking that federal officers were dispatched to deal with property destruction at the federal courthouse because “the locals couldn’t handle it.”
Wheeler responded Sunday by calling out the federal officers’ actions which “escalated” the situation and led to the injury of a protester.
“A person was seriously injured in Portland last night. This should not have happened,” Wheeler said. “I’m concerned that the actions of federal officers last night escalated, rather than deescalated, already heightened tensions in our city.”
But with reportedly millions of dollars in losses facing businesses in the city which has been under siege for weeks, the mayor on Tuesday reiterated that he does not want federal intervention and even gave an added jab about the graffiti on federal buildings left by rioters he won’t control.
“The best thing they can do is stay inside their building,” Wheeler wrote Tuesday. “Or leave Portland altogether.”
The best thing they can do is stay inside their building, or leave Portland altogether. Our goal is to end these violent demonstrations quickly and safely. And in the meantime, I asked him to clean up the graffiti on local federal facilities.
— Mayor Ted Wheeler (@tedwheeler) July 14, 2020
While we’re busy cleaning our streets and buildings, the two federal buildings are covered with graffiti that has been there for weeks on end. Our plan is this: protect our community. Clean up our city. And re-open.
— Mayor Ted Wheeler (@tedwheeler) July 14, 2020
As Portland’s leaders huff about federal assistance, and look for ways to “reform” their police department, residents have had enough of the games.
Portland is a national disgrace. You know if you cracked down ppl would celebrate it. These aren’t protests these are riots. I don’t recall the suffragettes burning America to the ground, but they still got their points across, and the right to vote.
— Andrew is a continual soiree (@AJyanksatlas) July 15, 2020
Your lack of true leadership and ineffectiveness in accepting the assistance that your city needs just shows that it is time for you to step down and let someone who is truly concerned for the actual citizens of your city to step up.
— BigMikeyVegas (@bigmikeyvegas) July 15, 2020
Yeah that’s amazing. Your town was so peaceful and under control until the federal officers came in
— 🍀”Mostly Peaceful” Depressant🦉 (@ODhonnabhain) July 15, 2020
You are ABSOLUTELY NUTS! The violence in YOUR city has been going on for not 1, not 2, not 3, not 4, not 5, but 6 WEEKS and the violence is not coming from fed agents but by Antifa and other vandals.
You have made a MOCKERY of the American city and created an anarchist haven.— All is Good (@amjmjrm) July 15, 2020
“Quickly and safely.” We’re coming up on 50 days straight of this city being held hostage by a couple hundred extremists and their cheerleaders. Longer than anywhere else. Appeasement isn’t working.
— Peyton (@peytonpdx) July 14, 2020
Why would you expect federal government to clean up the graffiti left by the rioters that allowed by you. That does not sound fair to me. You allowed it so you get to clean it up!
— 娉娜 (@ChinPinNa) July 14, 2020
I expect them to be there to protect federal assets. You can flush your city down the toilet if you like.
— Chance the Gardner ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@wiley_wabbitt) July 15, 2020
Absolutely stunning hubris.
— DC (@dctune) July 15, 2020
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
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