McEnany Defends Federal Response In Oregon; Chaos 'Unacceptable'

WASHINGTON, DC — White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany pushed back against those criticizing the Trump administration's response to persisting unrest in Portland, Oregon, calling the "violence, chaos and anarchy" in the city "unacceptable."

During a news briefing held at the White House on Tuesday, McEnany called out Democratic leaders in Oregon, including Gov. Kate Brown and Portland Mayor Todd Wheeler, both of whom have called on Trump to remove federal officers from the city.

"Democrats continue to put politics above peace while this president seeks to restore law and order," McEnany told reporters. "This rhetoric is unhelpful and gives the violence we have seen a pass. But President Trump will not give the violence a pass."

For eight weeks, Portland streets have filled with protesters following the Memorial Day death of George Floyd, who died while in custody of Minneapolis police.

Federal forces were deployed to Portland in early July, and tensions have grown since then.

On July 11, a protester was hospitalized with critical injuries after a U.S. Marshals Service officer struck him in the head with a round of what’s known as less-lethal ammunition. Anger flared again over the weekend after video surfaced of a federal agent hitting a U.S. Navy veteran repeatedly with a baton while another agent sprays him in the face with pepper spray.

The presence of federal agents on the streets of Portland — and particularly allegations they have whisked people away in unmarked cars without probable cause — has given new momentum and a renewed, laser-sharp focus to protests that had begun to devolve.

The use of federal agents against the will of local officials has also set up the potential for a constitutional crisis, the Associated Press reported, and one that could escalate as Trump says he plans to send federal agents to other cities.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot sent a letter to Trump this week urging the president not to send "secret federal agents" to Chicago.

The mayor wrote that she will take the president at his word that he wants to help the fight violence, and asked for a "partner" that respects all Chicago residents "regardless of race, ethnicity, country of origin, religion, sexual orientation or ability.

At the briefing, McEnany urged state and local officials to work cooperatively to restore law and order in U.S. cities.

"The bottom line is that this president stands with law and order, which leads to peace," she said.