About those feds in Portland...
https://www.politico.com/news/2020/07/22/federal-government-assembles-force-portland-unrest-377785
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US Marshal's, whose job includes protecting Federal courthouses and other Federal buildings. Reinforced by elements of ICE, Border Patrol, and Federal Protective Service.
All are parts of DHS.
Not military. Not private mercenaries. No Blackwater, no Eric Prince, No Academii, No Xe, no Triple Canopy. Not an invading army.
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Marshals_Service#Special_Operations_Group
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Marshals_Service#Surveillance_airplanes
Would help to know that it's almost entirely a dog and pony show, as was DC last month?
Just 144 federal agents from four agencies were sent to Portland.
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ICE has a bout 200 tactical officers.
USBP has 220 BORTAC agents.
US Marshals have around 1,000 tactical officers.
Those 3 agencies have far more pressing needs on their manpower/resources.
DEA and ATF have more tactical officers, but they're neither trained nor equipped to handle riots or large crowds.
@Minholkin There just are not enough of those tactical response units to cover every effected city for any extended period of time.
Almost all of the people that were snatched by the rent-a-van crew were released without charges the next day.
@Render
I feel better learning that--thank you.
I dislike the spectacle and the distress it is evoking for so many people, but this helps me scale my reaction a bit.
As ever, thank you for sharing your knowledge.
<3