JUDY WOODRUFF: Some of the
recent protests against police
violence and racism have been

met with a federal response.

And in Portland, Oregon, local
officials believe that presence
is causing more harm than good.

John Yang reports on the
growing rift between President
Trump and local leaders.

JOHN YANG: For more than 50
days, protesters have crowded
the streets of Portland, Oregon,

in response to the killing
of George Floyd. Many of the
demonstrations stayed peaceful.

But following the increased
presence of federal
agents this month, clashes
between law enforcement

and protesters have escalated.
City officials say that's caused
an uptick in arson, vandalism,

and alleged police brutality.

GOV. KATE BROWN (D-OR): It's
like pouring gasoline on a fire.

JOHN YANG: Sunday night, a
group of mothers linked arms to
protect hundreds of protesters

outside the federal courthouse.
But, later, federal authorities
broke up the crowd by

setting off flash
bangs and tear gas.

MAN: Four or five men
jump out and just start
rushing at all of us. It
was absolutely terrifying.

JOHN YANG: Today, President
Trump defended his decision to
deploy federal law enforcement

officers in Portland.

DONALD TRUMP, President of the
United States: More federal
law enforcement. That, I can

tell you. In Portland,
they have done a fantastic
job. These are anarchists.
These are not protesters.

People say protesters.
These people are anarchists.

These are people that hate
our country. And we're not
going to let it go forward.

JOHN YANG: State and
local officials want
them off the streets.

TED WHEELER (D), Mayor
of Portland, Oregon:
Leave. Your presence
here is not wanted. It's

not needed.

JOHN YANG: Portland
Mayor Ted Wheeler.

TED WHEELER: Unmarked vehicles
driving into crowds, pulling
people off the streets without

any probable cause,
as far as I can tell.

And the people who are
engaging in these activities
aren't even willing to
identify who they are,

and they don't wear an insignia
on their uniform. That's a
real threat to democracy.

JOHN YANG: On FOX News this
morning, acting Department of
Homeland Security Secretary

Chad Wolf said his agents
don't need invitations
to do their jobs.

On Friday, Oregon Attorney
General Ellen Rosenblum
sued the Department of
Homeland Security and

other federal agencies for
allegedly violating protesters'
civil rights. The suit claims

agents in unmarked cars
took people off the
streets without warrants.

The American Civil Liberties
Union of Oregon also sued DHS
and the U.S. Marshals Service

for allegedly violating
the rights of journalists
and legal observers.

Oregon Democrats accuse the
president of playing politics.

TED WHEELER: There's no question
in my mind that this is a
very cynical ploy on the part

of the Trump White House.
It's targeting not only
the city of Portland,
but other democratically

controlled cities. And I
absolutely believe that the play
here is to support his own base.

JOHN YANG: Democratic Senator
Jeff Merkley tweeted he will
seek legislation barring the

administration from
sending paramilitary
squads into U.S. cities.

As protests continue
across the country,
Portland is not the Trump
administration's only focus.

Today, The Chicago Tribune
reported, DHS plans to
deploy 150 agents in Chicago.