federal law enforcement Archives - Northwest Public Broadcasting

Man Charged With Shooting Portland Federal Courthouse Attended Salem ‘Stop The Steal’ Protest

By NWPB News January 11, 2021

The U.S. Attorney's Office for Oregon has charged 39-year-old Cody Melby after he allegedly fired five shots from a handgun at the Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse in Portland. Courtesy U.S. Attorney's Office for Oregon

Cody Levi Melby, 39, reportedly climbed over the temporary security fence erected this summer to keep racial justice protesters outside the federal courthouse before he opened fire on the building, the documents state. No one was injured in the attack.Read More

Top Capitol Security Officials Resign After Insurrection, Push From Lawmakers

By NPR News January 7, 2021

Fencing is placed around the exterior of the Capitol grounds the day after a violent throng of pro-Trump rioters spent hours running rampant through the Capitol. Lawmakers from both parties are criticizing the response by the U.S. Capitol Police. CREDIT: John Minchillo/AP

A day after an insurrection that overtook the U.S. Capitol, two top Capitol security officials have resigned from their posts amid building pressure from lawmakers and others surrounding failures that allowed the dramatic breach.Read More

Portland Pulls Officers From Federal Deputations, But Legal Questions Swirl

By NWPB News October 6, 2020

Mayor Ted Wheeler stands between Police Chief Chuck Lovell, right, and Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt at an Aug. 30 press conference. CREDIT: Bradley W. Parks / OPB

As part of the law enforcement response to a Sept. 26 Proud Boys rally in North Portland, the U.S. Marshals deputized most of the bureau’s rapid response team, the officers responsible for policing protests. But the 56 deputations extend through the end of the year, well beyond the weekend rally.Read More

Some Federal Forces Poised To Leave Portland, Others Could Remain Through Election

By NWPB News August 7, 2020

A Department of Homeland Security officer patrols the Mark O. Hatfield federal courthouse in Portland, Ore., July 25, 2020. CREDIT: Bradley W. Parks/OPB

Multiple sources tell OPB, federal officers are watching closely to see if the delicate peace holds through the weekend, in what some describe as a key moment for determining how many federal officers will remain in Portland.Read More

Oregon Governor Announces ‘Phased’ Removal Of Federal Officers From Portland

By Dirk VanderHart July 29, 2020

People walk the fence surrounding the Mark O. Hatfield federal courthouse in Portland, Ore., on July 23, 2020. Federal law enforcement officers have arrested 60 people, according to an assistant U.S. attorney, since early July. CREDIT: Jonathan Levinson/OPB

Federal officers will begin leaving the city on Thursday under a deal reached between Oregon officials and the Trump administration. State police will help protect Portland's federal courthouse.Read More

Mayors Of Seattle, Portland, Other Cities Demand Congress Block Trump From Sending Federal Agents

By NPR News July 27, 2020

Federal law enforcement agents confront protesters in Portland, Ore., on Sunday, July 26, 2020. Spencer Platt/Getty Images

The mayors of Chicago, Seattle, Portland, Albuquerque, Washington, D.C., and Kansas City, Mo., signed on to the letter that criticized the administration for sending "unidentified federal agents to operate with impunity" in cities where demonstrations against police brutality and racism continue.Read More

More Federal Troop Deploying To Portland As Protests Gain Momentum

By NWPB News July 26, 2020

A subsection of the crowd marches toward the Marriott hotel in downtown Portland, Ore., July 25, 2020. Portland has sustained protests against police brutality and systemic racism for 58 days. CREDIT: Bradley W. Parks/OPB

Several dozen additional out-of-town federal law enforcement officers are deploying to Portland as they look to make additional arrests in the coming days, while also shifting tactics from the use of tear gas, according to multiple federal law enforcement sources.Read More

Judges Deny Oregon’s Request Against Federal Officers, Stop Seattle Ban On ‘Less Lethal’ Measures

By NPR News July 25, 2020

A federal judge has denied Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum's request for a temporary restraining order against what she described as unconstitutional tactics by federal officers deployed to protests in Portland. CREDIT: Ankur Dholakia/AFP via Getty Images

The state attorney general said federal agencies were "overstepping their powers" in Portland. A federal judge has denied it, citing lack of legal standing.Read More

Judge Restricts Force That Federal Officers Can Use Against Portland Protesters

By NWPB News July 23, 2020

A federal officer pushes back demonstrators at the Mark O. Hatfield United States Courthouse on Tuesday, July 21, 2020, in Portland. CREDIT: Noah Berger/AP

On Thursday afternoon, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order on officers from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Marshals Service sent to Portland to guard federal buildings. The restrictions will last for two weeks. The judge is still considering a longer-lasting injunction against federal law enforcement.Read More

Oregon Sues Federal Agencies Over Protest Enforcement, Civil Rights Abuses As Clashes Continue

By NWPB News July 19, 2020

Federal officers deployed tear gas and fired less-lethal rounds into a crowd of protesters late Thursday, July 16, 2020. The actions came just hours after the head of the Department of Homeland Security called the protesters “violent anarchists.” CREDIT: Beth Nakamura/The Oregonian via AP

The federal lawsuit names the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Marshals Service, the United States Customs and Border Protection and the Federal Protective Service, agencies that have had a role in stepped-up force used against protesters since early July. The state filed the lawsuit late Friday night.Read More