Oregon Governor Kate Brown flat out lied over a call she claims to have had with Vice President Mike Pence.
Brown said that after a discussion she held with Pence “and others” federal government officers will withdraw from Portland. She claimed that the state police would take over “to protect Oregonians’ right to free speech and keep the peace. Let’s center the Black Lives Matter movement’s demands for racial justice and police accountability. It’s time for bold action to reform police practices.”
Our local Oregon State Police officers will be downtown to protect Oregonians’ right to free speech and keep the peace. Let’s center the Black Lives Matter movement’s demands for racial justice and police accountability. It’s time for bold action to reform police practices.
— Governor Kate Brown (@OregonGovBrown) July 29, 2020
Turns out, she flat out lied. Acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf corrected the governor stating that was not the agreement. Wolf said that federal authorities will remain in Portland until the violent activity toward the federal facilities ceases. Wolf then reiterated that federal officers aren’t going anywhere until the violence stops.
As I told the Governor yesterday, federal law enforcement will remain in Portland until the violent activity toward our federal facilities ends. We are not removing any law enforcement while our facilities and law enforcement remain under attack.
— Acting Secretary Chad Wolf (@DHS_Wolf) July 29, 2020
The governor’s office told the Washington Examiner that the White House agreed to a “phased withdrawal.” Brown insisted that only “a limited contingent of federal officials — who provide security year-round to the federal courthouse — will remain and stay focused on its interior. Oregon State Police troopers will be downtown to protect free speech and keep the peace.”
However, when asked by Fox News DHS Secretary Chad Wolf said, “Absolutely not” and that did not agree to a specific timeline for withdrawal. The Washington Examiner reported:
In a statement to the Washington Examiner, White House deputy press secretary Sarah Matthews wrote, “As the President and Secretary Wolf have both made clear, federal law enforcement officers will not leave until the seat of justice in Portland is secure.”
This echoes the president’s statements from earlier on Wednesday.
“We’re not leaving until they secure their city. If they don’t secure their city soon, we have no choice. We’re gonna have to go in and clean it out,” the president said.
Just wait until the Portland extremists start attacking the State Police.
