Western States Center Responds to Trump’s Misuse of Federal Agents in Portland
Eric Ward, executive director of the Portland, Ore.-based Western States Center, released the following statement:
“President Trump’s re-election campaign reached Portland this week in the form of heavily-armed federal agents. Sent against the wishes of state and local officials, the federal agents were tasked with aggressively cracking down on local protesters. Last weekend, a protester was severely wounded when one of the agents fired a ‘less lethal’ munition that struck his head.
“Trump’s Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf traveled to Portland this week and released an inflammatory statement attacking local officials, law enforcement and protesters. This smacks of a political stunt by a president who is eagerly fueling a culture war and dividing Americans to boost his waning support.
“Trump and Secretary Wolf are misusing federal agents and resources to try to pick a fight with Portland. It’s a shameful abuse of power, and Oregonians – and the American people – can see right through it.”