Republican to Trump officials: Investigate whether Portland launched 'smear campaign' against DHS agents

A senior House Republican is urging the Trump administration to investigate political leaders in Oregon regarding whether they carried out a "smear campaign" against the Departments of Homeland Security and Justice amid federal police deployments to Portland.

"Acting Secretary Wolf has been clear that prior to surging federal resources to Portland, DHS requested assistance and coordination with state and local officials and law enforcement to address the violent rioters," House Homeland Security ranking member Mike Rogers of Alabama wrote in a letter to DHS and DOJ leaders. "Those requests were denied. Instead, Portland officials carried out a smear campaign against federal officials, dismissed calls to address the violence, and passed resolutions preventing local police from providing any assistance, coordination, or information with federal counterparts."

Rogers asked acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf and Attorney General William Barr to launch a joint federal investigation examining how Democratic Gov. Kate Brown and Democratic Mayor Ted Wheeler handled riots in Portland that began in late May and have continued into August despite less federal involvement.

"As your departments review the violent rioting that has occurred in Portland, I am requesting you conduct a joint in... (Read more)

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