The Feds in Portland Are Doing More Harm Than Good
Local authorities need to enforce the law. This is no way to help them.
This isn’t helping.
Photographer: Nathan Howard/Getty Images
President Donald Trump’s plan to deploy federal law-enforcement officers in cities gripped by protests has so far been a thoroughgoing failure. That isn’t stopping the administration from doubling down.
Earlier this month, the Department of Homeland Security began sending officers to Portland, Oregon, to protect federal property from continuing demonstrations. Lacking training for this kind of assignment, and given only the vaguest instructions, the agents tear-gassed elderly women, severely injured several protesters, and detained others without charges or explanation. In doing so, they’ve only fueled new anger and worsened the disorder.