President Trump on Sunday defended the actions of federal agents in Portland, saying they are in the Oregon city to help “not hurt” after protesters broke into a police union building and set it ablaze.

“We are trying to help Portland, not hurt it. Their leadership has, for months, lost control of the anarchists and agitators. They are missing in action. We must protect Federal property, AND OUR PEOPLE,” Trump wrote on Twitter. “These were not merely protesters, these are the real deal!”

Weeks of protests in Oregon’s largest city over the death of George Floyd while in Minneapolis police custody grew more intense Saturday night as demonstrators lit dumpsters on fire and forced their way into the Portland Police Association building, causing police to respond with tear gas.

Portland police declared a riot and cleared the downtown area, and the fire was eventually doused.

The president has vowed to crack down on protesters targeting federal buildings, and his administration has deployed the U.S. Marshals Special Operations Group and the agents from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection team based on the U.S.-Mexico border.

But news reports have said some agents, wearing camouflage uniforms without identifying badges, have been driving around in unmarked vans and grabbing people off the street.

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and other Oregon officials have called on Trump to remove the federal agents.

With Post wires

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