Federal officers sent to Portland by Trump teargassed protesters, despite being told to leave by the mayor and governor

• Federal officers used teargas and riot control munitions on protesters in Portland, Oregon on Thursday, according to multiple local media reports.
• Protests there have continued for almost two months since the death of George Floyd, long after they faded in many other US cities, The Oregonian reported.
• In recent days, President Donald Trump ordered the federal government to intervene, against the wishes of Oregon officials including state governor and Portland's mayor.

Federal officials clashed with protesters on the streets of Portland, Oregon on Thursday evening, despite strong criticism of their presence from the state governor and the city's mayor.

Protests in response to George Floyd's death have continued for nearly 50 straight days in Portland, The Oregonian reported.

Protesters outside two separate federal buildings were described as boisterous but nonviolent on this occasion by The Oregonian.

Local reporter Jennifer Dowling of KOIN News said in a video dispatch that federal troops used tear gas and riot control munitions against the protesters.

—Matt Rashleigh (@Matt_KOIN) July 17, 2020

Authorities had earlier warned protesters to leave, saying they had heard protest chants about burning down one of the federal buildings, KOIN News reported.

State Governor Kate Brown and city Mayor Ted Wheeler — both members of the Democratic party — are among the elected officials who have called on the federal troops to leave the city.

—Governor Kate Brown (@OregonGovBrown) July 16, 2020

—Mayor Ted Wheeler (@tedwheeler) July 16, 2020

Hours before the renewed clashes broke out, Homeland Security Acting Secretary Chad Wolf visited the city and harshly criticized local officials and law enforcement, according to the Associated Press (AP).

In a lengthy, bullet-pointed statement, Wolf called the protesters "violent anarchists," alleging multiple episodes of property destruction, violence and graffiti, as an apparent justification the federal officers' tactics.

He called out local and state leaders for what he termed a "failed response."

"Each night, lawless anarchists destroy and desecrate property, including the federal courthouse, and attack the brave law enforcement officers protecting it," the statement said.

Wolf did not seek a meeting with either Sen. Brown or Mayor Wheeler, The Oregonian reported, and Wheeler told the paper he would not have accepted anyway.

The clashes follow local media reports that federal officers in unmarked vehicles have been seizing protesters.

Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) reported, based on personal accounts and social media posts, that this has taken place since at least July 14.