The Democratic mayor of Chicago, Lori Lightfoot, said she would welcome federal help to fight crime, but wants no part of what she's seen on the streets of Portland. We don't need unnamed secret federal agents roaming around the streets of Chicago," she said at a press conference Wednesday. Video of men in camouflage snatching a protester off the streets of Portland, Oregon, set off a pandemic of confusion and outrage – confusion about who these men are, and outrage at President Trump's threat to do the same in other cities. As Portland's protests continued in the aftermath of George Floyd's death, the Trump administration moved in to protect federal buildings from vandals. The Department of Homeland Security was created in the anxious days after 9/11 when another attack was feared: "Terrorist attacks by al Qaeda or a nuclear weapon or a biological threat," said Rosenzweig. Blackwater CBP Portland created by Kokopelli2018 at 07/26/2020 03:32 PM; Done Editing Tags . They are under the command of Acting Director of Homeland Security Chad Wolf.

Any way to find out? CBS News national security correspondent David Martin asked, "It's unprecedented.

I had no idea what these guys were capable of. "We don't need federal troops. Wolf described the targets of these federal officers: "These individuals carry lasers, baseball bats, explosive fireworks, metal pipes, glass bottles, accelerants and other weapons all targeting federal facilities and federal law enforcement.

And that's where the authority has been stretched beyond all recognition. They look, and are equipped more like mercenaries and that’s when it hit me. Blackwater Mercenaries on the USA-Mexico Border By Nancy Conroy In San Diego County, California, a firestorm has erupted over plans to build a Blackwater mercenary training camp in the hills behind Potrero, a remote area east of the city. "These police officers are not stormtroopers. Is it legal?".

Black River Water Security Mercenaries Portland, Betsy Devos Brother Erik Prince A fact sheet posted on the official website of DHS states that the agency uses “13,000 contract staff to conduct security screenings at federal buildings.” About 1,000 are police officers, criminal investigators, and law enforcement security officers. Anyone see how many they have hired? ", Martin asked, "Transparently political?

But Gil Kerlikowske, a former CBP commissioner who served in the Obama administration, said he questioned whether the agents had the appropriate training to handle the situation unfolding in Portland. Editor: Steven Tyler. "Border Patrol – clearly police. 29 29 29 I have been reading, here … © 2020 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. All run by Democrats. Watch CBS News anytime, anywhere with the our 24/7 digital news network. Erik Prince’s notorious company Blackwater has gone through name changes and iterations since their out of control antics when Bush 43 was … It sounded like they charged us once for the mercenary and once again each for Prince. "I saw nothing which provoked this response," said Wheeler, who called it "urban warfare.". September 23, 2020 by Leave a Comment. Fact check: Federal agents in Portland are not mercenaries provided by Erik Prince Chelsey Cox, USA TODAY 8/5/2020 US Coronavirus: Several regions sound alarm as … Claim: Operating under orders from U.S. President Donald Trump in summer 2020, federal agents used unmarked vehicles to "kidnap" Portland protesters and did not identify themselves as law en… For that, Prince kept his mouth shut.

Same with Portland.

September 23, 2020 by Leave a Comment. Story produced by Mary Walsh. They reminded me of the guys from Blackwater, or whatever the hell it’s known as these days. blackwater mercenaries in portland. We never did hear what Blackwater cost us during the Iraq War. "This is kind of the first time that the American public is seeing the reality of that. But this is going to do nothing but give ammunition to those who think of the department as a rogue police force that ought not to exist.". He is a disabled veteran and has worked on veterans and POW issues for decades. "Look at what's going on. ", And here's what most people don't know about DHS: "The Department of Homeland Security has more law enforcement resources at its disposal than the rest of the federal government combined," Rosenzweig said. ", WEB EXTRA COMMENTARY: Christopher David: "Our city has been turned into a war zone intentionally", Even Portland's Democratic mayor, Ted Wheeler, who does not want these federal agents in his city, got hit with tear gas. Federal officers use chemical irritants and crowd control munitions to disperse Black Lives Matter protesters outside the Mark O. Hatfield United States Courthouse on Wednesday, July 22, 2020, in Portland, Ore. Non-military personnel take to the streets of Portland. Mark Morgan, head of Customs and Border Protection, provided a citizen's guide to the insignia on their uniforms. Acting CBP Commissioner Mark Morgan also defended the use of BORTAC in Portland, saying the officers have been trained in riot control. Rosenzweig said, "The acting secretary has chosen to essentially declare war on a segment of the American populace. The agents in Portland look like soldiers, but in fact they are members of the Border Patrol far from their usual missions of going after drug smugglers along the Mexican border. All run by very liberal Democrats.". Senior Editor , VT. Gordon Duff is a Marine combat veteran of the Vietnam War. Stream CBSN live or on demand for FREE on your TV, computer, tablet, or smartphone. Biography . Cookies help us deliver our Services. blackwater mercenaries in portland. "I think that the department is a necessary component of our national security apparatus. Share this article.