1 00:00:02,033 --> 00:00:04,666 JUDY WOODRUFF: Some of the recent protests against police violence and racism have been 2 00:00:04,666 --> 00:00:07,000 met with a federal response. 3 00:00:07,000 --> 00:00:12,000 And in Portland, Oregon, local officials believe that presence is causing more harm than good. 4 00:00:13,866 --> 00:00:18,166 John Yang reports on the growing rift between President Trump and local leaders. 5 00:00:20,133 --> 00:00:23,266 JOHN YANG: For more than 50 days, protesters have crowded the streets of Portland, Oregon, 6 00:00:25,166 --> 00:00:29,533 in response to the killing of George Floyd. Many of the demonstrations stayed peaceful. 7 00:00:31,966 --> 00:00:34,700 But following the increased presence of federal agents this month, clashes between law enforcement 8 00:00:36,733 --> 00:00:40,900 and protesters have escalated. City officials say that's caused an uptick in arson, vandalism, 9 00:00:42,266 --> 00:00:43,766 and alleged police brutality. 10 00:00:43,766 --> 00:00:46,700 GOV. KATE BROWN (D-OR): It's like pouring gasoline on a fire. 11 00:00:46,700 --> 00:00:51,333 JOHN YANG: Sunday night, a group of mothers linked arms to protect hundreds of protesters 12 00:00:51,333 --> 00:00:56,300 outside the federal courthouse. But, later, federal authorities broke up the crowd by 13 00:00:57,500 --> 00:01:00,200 setting off flash bangs and tear gas. 14 00:01:00,200 --> 00:01:04,666 MAN: Four or five men jump out and just start rushing at all of us. It was absolutely terrifying. 15 00:01:06,700 --> 00:01:10,766 JOHN YANG: Today, President Trump defended his decision to deploy federal law enforcement 16 00:01:10,766 --> 00:01:12,833 officers in Portland. 17 00:01:12,833 --> 00:01:15,500 DONALD TRUMP, President of the United States: More federal law enforcement. That, I can 18 00:01:15,500 --> 00:01:19,466 tell you. In Portland, they have done a fantastic job. These are anarchists. These are not protesters. 19 00:01:20,833 --> 00:01:23,033 People say protesters. These people are anarchists. 20 00:01:23,033 --> 00:01:27,366 These are people that hate our country. And we're not going to let it go forward. 21 00:01:27,366 --> 00:01:30,633 JOHN YANG: State and local officials want them off the streets. 22 00:01:30,633 --> 00:01:33,933 TED WHEELER (D), Mayor of Portland, Oregon: Leave. Your presence here is not wanted. It's 23 00:01:33,933 --> 00:01:35,166 not needed. 24 00:01:35,166 --> 00:01:37,266 JOHN YANG: Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler. 25 00:01:37,266 --> 00:01:41,433 TED WHEELER: Unmarked vehicles driving into crowds, pulling people off the streets without 26 00:01:42,633 --> 00:01:45,100 any probable cause, as far as I can tell. 27 00:01:45,100 --> 00:01:50,000 And the people who are engaging in these activities aren't even willing to identify who they are, 28 00:01:50,000 --> 00:01:54,400 and they don't wear an insignia on their uniform. That's a real threat to democracy. 29 00:01:54,400 --> 00:01:58,866 JOHN YANG: On FOX News this morning, acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary 30 00:01:58,866 --> 00:02:03,833 Chad Wolf said his agents don't need invitations to do their jobs. 31 00:02:06,333 --> 00:02:08,866 On Friday, Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum sued the Department of Homeland Security and 32 00:02:08,866 --> 00:02:13,866 other federal agencies for allegedly violating protesters' civil rights. The suit claims 33 00:02:15,800 --> 00:02:18,933 agents in unmarked cars took people off the streets without warrants. 34 00:02:18,933 --> 00:02:23,933 The American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon also sued DHS and the U.S. Marshals Service 35 00:02:25,866 --> 00:02:28,700 for allegedly violating the rights of journalists and legal observers. 36 00:02:28,700 --> 00:02:31,700 Oregon Democrats accuse the president of playing politics. 37 00:02:31,700 --> 00:02:36,166 TED WHEELER: There's no question in my mind that this is a very cynical ploy on the part 38 00:02:36,166 --> 00:02:40,300 of the Trump White House. It's targeting not only the city of Portland, but other democratically 39 00:02:40,300 --> 00:02:45,300 controlled cities. And I absolutely believe that the play here is to support his own base. 40 00:02:47,333 --> 00:02:51,400 JOHN YANG: Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley tweeted he will seek legislation barring the 41 00:02:51,400 --> 00:02:56,366 administration from sending paramilitary squads into U.S. cities. 42 00:02:58,766 --> 00:03:02,200 As protests continue across the country, Portland is not the Trump administration's only focus. 43 00:03:04,066 --> 00:03:07,733 Today, The Chicago Tribune reported, DHS plans to deploy 150 agents in Chicago.