WEBVTT 00:02.033 --> 00:04.666 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% JUDY WOODRUFF: Some of the recent protests against police violence and racism have been 00:04.666 --> 00:07.000 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% met with a federal response. 00:07.000 --> 00:12.000 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% And in Portland, Oregon, local officials believe that presence is causing more harm than good. 00:13.866 --> 00:18.166 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% John Yang reports on the growing rift between President Trump and local leaders. 00:20.133 --> 00:23.266 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% JOHN YANG: For more than 50 days, protesters have crowded the streets of Portland, Oregon, 00:25.166 --> 00:29.533 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% in response to the killing of George Floyd. Many of the demonstrations stayed peaceful. 00:31.966 --> 00:34.700 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% But following the increased presence of federal agents this month, clashes between law enforcement 00:36.733 --> 00:40.900 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% and protesters have escalated. City officials say that's caused an uptick in arson, vandalism, 00:42.266 --> 00:43.766 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% and alleged police brutality. 00:43.766 --> 00:46.700 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% GOV. KATE BROWN (D-OR): It's like pouring gasoline on a fire. 00:46.700 --> 00:51.333 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% JOHN YANG: Sunday night, a group of mothers linked arms to protect hundreds of protesters 00:51.333 --> 00:56.300 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% outside the federal courthouse. But, later, federal authorities broke up the crowd by 00:57.500 --> 01:00.200 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% setting off flash bangs and tear gas. 01:00.200 --> 01:04.666 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% MAN: Four or five men jump out and just start rushing at all of us. It was absolutely terrifying. 01:06.700 --> 01:10.766 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% JOHN YANG: Today, President Trump defended his decision to deploy federal law enforcement 01:10.766 --> 01:12.833 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% officers in Portland. 01:12.833 --> 01:15.500 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% DONALD TRUMP, President of the United States: More federal law enforcement. That, I can 01:15.500 --> 01:19.466 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% tell you. In Portland, they have done a fantastic job. These are anarchists. These are not protesters. 01:20.833 --> 01:23.033 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% People say protesters. These people are anarchists. 01:23.033 --> 01:27.366 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% These are people that hate our country. And we're not going to let it go forward. 01:27.366 --> 01:30.633 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% JOHN YANG: State and local officials want them off the streets. 01:30.633 --> 01:33.933 align:left position:20% line:71% size:70% TED WHEELER (D), Mayor of Portland, Oregon: Leave. Your presence here is not wanted. It's 01:33.933 --> 01:35.166 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% not needed. 01:35.166 --> 01:37.266 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% JOHN YANG: Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler. 01:37.266 --> 01:41.433 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% TED WHEELER: Unmarked vehicles driving into crowds, pulling people off the streets without 01:42.633 --> 01:45.100 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% any probable cause, as far as I can tell. 01:45.100 --> 01:50.000 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% And the people who are engaging in these activities aren't even willing to identify who they are, 01:50.000 --> 01:54.400 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% and they don't wear an insignia on their uniform. That's a real threat to democracy. 01:54.400 --> 01:58.866 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% JOHN YANG: On FOX News this morning, acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary 01:58.866 --> 02:03.833 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% Chad Wolf said his agents don't need invitations to do their jobs. 02:06.333 --> 02:08.866 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% On Friday, Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum sued the Department of Homeland Security and 02:08.866 --> 02:13.866 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% other federal agencies for allegedly violating protesters' civil rights. The suit claims 02:15.800 --> 02:18.933 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% agents in unmarked cars took people off the streets without warrants. 02:18.933 --> 02:23.933 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% The American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon also sued DHS and the U.S. Marshals Service 02:25.866 --> 02:28.700 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% for allegedly violating the rights of journalists and legal observers. 02:28.700 --> 02:31.700 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Oregon Democrats accuse the president of playing politics. 02:31.700 --> 02:36.166 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% TED WHEELER: There's no question in my mind that this is a very cynical ploy on the part 02:36.166 --> 02:40.300 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% of the Trump White House. It's targeting not only the city of Portland, but other democratically 02:40.300 --> 02:45.300 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% controlled cities. And I absolutely believe that the play here is to support his own base. 02:47.333 --> 02:51.400 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% JOHN YANG: Democratic Senator Jeff Merkley tweeted he will seek legislation barring the 02:51.400 --> 02:56.366 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% administration from sending paramilitary squads into U.S. cities. 02:58.766 --> 03:02.200 align:left position:10% line:71% size:80% As protests continue across the country, Portland is not the Trump administration's only focus. 03:04.066 --> 03:07.733 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% Today, The Chicago Tribune reported, DHS plans to deploy 150 agents in Chicago.