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The state's Democratic congressional lawmakers -- Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden and Reps. Earl Blumenauer and Suzanne Bonamici -- last week asked both DHS and Justice Dept. offices of Inspector General to investigate the "unrequested presence and violent actions of federal forces in Portland."
Her synagogue, which has also counted Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden and Rep. Suzanne Bonamici as members, has a history of encouraging public service. Another longtime congregant and local elected official, Multnomah County Commissioner Sharon Meieran, was teargassed during protests on Saturday night, according to an account she posted on Twitter.
Four of Oregon's federal representatives want investigations into the "unrequested presence and violent actions of federal forces in Portland." Additionally, the US Attorney for Oregon also wants an investigation into the actions of Homeland Security personnel.
In a tweet Monday afternoon, Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Chad Wolf defended the actions of federal officers.
"Attempted arson is not a peaceful protest. Physically attacking law enforcement is not freedom of speech. Destruction of property is not peaceful assembly. Criminals perpetrating these crimes are being arrested not law abiding protestors," he wrote.
Oregon leaders and other state leaders are seeking to block the Trump administration from deploying federal officers in U.S. cities.
As federal agents continue to clash with protesters on the streets of Portland and President Trump threatening to send federal troops to other US cities with protests, Oregon's federal lawmakers announced a bill to block the Trump Administration from continuing.
Merkley is trying to include these new curbs on federal law enforcement in an annual defense authorization bill headed to the Senate floor. Merkley. Wyden and Reps. Earl Blumenauer and Suzanne Bonamici, also plan to introduce stand-alone bills in both chambers, called the "Preventing Authoritarian Policing Tactics on America's Streets Act."
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) announced in a statement provided to PoliticusUSA, "U.S. Representatives Earl Blumenauer (OR-3), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-1), and Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), along with U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) today announced that they will introduce the Preventing Authoritarian Policing Tactics on America's Streets Act, which would block the Trump administration from deploying federal forces as a shadowy paramilitary against Americans."
The state of Oregon has sued several agencies over civil rights violations. The state's Department of Justice wants a restraining order that halts the tactics, among other demands.