Legal DOJ IG launches probe into law enforcement actions in Portland and Washington, D.C.

On Wednesday, Democratic Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley of Oregon, along with Reps. Earl Blumenauer and Suzanne Bonamici of Oregon, requested that the DOJ and DHS OIGs investigate what they called "the unrequested presence and violent actions of recently deployed federal forces in Portland."

The DOJ inspector general statement also announced that the watchdog is launching a wider evaluation of the DOJ and its law enforcement components' reactions to civil unrest in Portland and Washington, D.C. over the past two months.

"The review will include examining the training and instruction that was provided to the DOJ law enforcement personnel; compliance with applicable identification requirements, rules of engagement, and legal authorities; and adherence to DOJ policies regarding the use of less-lethal munitions, chemical agents, and other uses of force," the statement read, adding the review was in response to congressional requests and requests from the public.