(PresidentialWire.com)- As protests continue in Portland after weeks of violence from Antifa and Black Lives Matter rioters, President Donald Trump has stepped up policing efforts and sent in an elite team of border patrol agents to take control of the violence. President Trump promised many weeks ago that if governors and mayors failed to protect Americans from far-left violence then he would send in federal agents to do the job for them.
Trump has faced extensive criticism from far-left agitators and even Democrats for sending in the police. He drew the attention of Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi who, unsurprisingly, complained about the “unidentified stormtroopers” and “unmarked cars.”
Unidentified stormtroopers. Unmarked cars. Kidnapping protesters and causing severe injuries in response to graffiti.
These are not the actions of a democratic republic.@DHSgov’s actions in Portland undermine its mission.
Trump & his stormtroopers must be stopped.
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) July 18, 2020
Where was her criticism of the unidentified, masked rioters who burned down black-owned businesses and churches in the name of “racial justice”?
On Sunday, President Trump defended the actions of federal agents, saying they have been sent to Oregon not to “hurt” protesters but to protect people.
“We are trying to help Portland, not hurt it,” he said. “Their leadership has, for months, lost control of the anarchists and agitators. They are missing in action. We must protect Federal property, AND OUR PEOPLE.”
We are trying to help Portland, not hurt it. Their leadership has, for months, lost control of the anarchists and agitators. They are missing in action. We must protect Federal property, AND OUR PEOPLE. These were not merely protesters, these are the real deal!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 19, 2020
“These were not merely protesters, these were the real deal!” he said, in reference to the fact that authorities understood these protesters to be planning and coordinating violent activity and rioting.
Violent protests came to a head on Saturday night when “protesters” set fires in dumpsters, attempted to destroy buildings and even forced their way into the Portland Police Association Building. The riots became so bad that police had no option but to control the gangs of violent rioters with tear gas.
What do you think – is it wrong for the president to send in federal agents, or should he stand back and let the riots continue?
