Federal agents to begin 'phased withdrawal' from Portland, Oregon governor says

(Image credit: Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

last updated 30 July 2020

After weeks of clashing with protesters in Portland, federal agents will begin leaving the city Thursday, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown (D) said Wednesday.

U.S. government officials, including Vice President Mike Pence, and Oregon struck a deal which paves the way for a "phased withdrawal" of the agents, who protesters and state and local officials have accused of exacerbating violence and arresting demonstrators without identifying themselves. In turn, Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf said a "robust presence" of Oregon State Police will remain in downtown Portland to help protect federal property as protests against police brutality continue. The usual team of federal officers that protects Portland's U.S. courthouse — which protesters have surrounded on an almost nightly basis — will continue to provide interior security for the building, The New York Times notes.

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Tim is a staff writer at The Week and has contributed to Bedford and Bowery and The New York Transatlantic. He is a graduate of Occidental College and NYU's journalism school. Tim enjoys writing about baseball, Europe, and extinct megafauna. He lives in New York City.

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