U.S. swoops down on Portland protesters

Federal law enforcement officers were in Portland, Oregon Friday to crack down on protesters as part of the Trump administration's new executive order to protect U.S. monuments.

Multiple videos posted online show officers without clear identification badges using force and transporting those arrested in unmarked vehicles.

More than a dozen people were arrested Friday, according to media reports, but there was no immediate confirmation from authorities.

The U.S. Justice Department did not respond to a request for comment on the arrests and any related charges.

A spokeswoman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirmed agents who were trained for operations "in chaotic environments" had been deployed to the area. These officers, decked out in camouflage attire, can be seen in videos posted on social media with military style weapons drawn and pointed at protesters.

Oregon Governor Kate Brown called it “a blatant abuse of power by the federal governor."

Fellow Democrat, Portland mayor Ted Wheeler, said the federal show of force is both unwarranted and unwelcome.

"We have Federal officers on our streets further escalating and causing harm to Portlanders right now. This is not the America we want. This is not the Portland we want. Where is the accountability for what Federal officers are doing."

Wheeler said the U.S. Marshals service will be conducting a full review of an incident where federal troops allegedly shot a protester with a weapon firing non-lethal munition.

Demonstrators have gathered daily around the federal courthouse in Portland to protest against racism and police brutality since the death of George Floyd in police custody on May 25th.