Civil Rights
On Monday, Oregon leaders, including Jeff Merkley, introduced new legislation in order to block the Trump administration from deployin
Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., reacts to the weekend clashes between federal law enforcement officials and demonstrators during protests against racial inequality in Portland.
Democratic Rep. Suzanne Bonamici of Oregon says the escalation of federal force against protesters is Trump's attempt to deflect from his "failed leadership."
The federal response has greatly concerned Oregon's representatives in Washington, D.C. Merkley and Ron Wyden, both Democratic senators, as well as Suzanne Bonamici and Earl Blumenauer of the House of Representatives, have written U.S. Attorney General William Barr to demand answers into how the federal officers were deployed and the scope of their activities.
Describing the federal agents as "acting like an occupying army," Wyden demanded answers from both Trump and Homeland Security.
During protests over the weekend, a federal agent shot a 26-year-old peaceful demonstrator in the head with a munition, fracturing his skull.
Portland Deputy Police Chief Chris Davis has said his department did not request federal assistance and is not coordinating with the federal officers. "I don't have authority to order federal officers to do things," Davis told the AP.
Oregon's US senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley along with US Representatives Earl Blumenauer and Suzanne Bonamici now want the US Department of Justice and the Inspector General's office to investigate the federal agents presence in Portland.