State police and law enforcement from neighboring suburbs in Oregon were sent to Portland on Monday as tensions mounted following a fatal weekend shooting of a supporter of President Donald Trump by a self-described Antifa member.
While the city has seen violent protests and riots for over 80 days, Governor Kate Brown announced a plan that she said would continue to allow for peaceful protest while cracking down on the lawbreaking that has occurred. In addition to temporarily sending in state police troopers and officers from neighboring jurisdictions, the FBI and federal prosecutors will add resources to prosecute criminal offenses stemming from protests, Brown said. Previously, many rioters were being released without prosecution.
For a period in July, the Trump administration deployed federal forces to Portland to protect a U.S. courthouse, which has been the focus of violent protests and other as well as other federal property. The federal agents were later withdrawn when the threat appeared to diminish.
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