As violent clashes between federal agents and protesters escalated in Portland, Oregon, in recent days, it is clear that a number of different federal agencies was to protect federal buildings in the city, are used. One of these forces is the border patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC), the elite part of the US Customs and Border Protection, based in El Paso, Texas, similar to SWAT operations counterinsurgency and trained one. TIME Brian Bennett spoke with Mark Morgan, senior officials performed the duties of the Commissioner of the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), what is the legal authorities federal agents working under if they go to Portland and other cities used. This transcript has been edited and condensed. TIME: Why are they protecting the CBP officers to send federal buildings in the city? MORGAN: Our main task is to support the Federal Protection Service (FPS). And one of the main tasks of the FPS is to protect federal buildings. In Portland, this is exactly what they do. CBP and other agencies – the US Marshals, ICE – has law enforcement personnel to support and complement FPS used staff there to fix the Parliament Building. And ‘in the context of Title 40, USC 1315 (section 1315 of title 40, United States Code). That’s where we get our authority and responsibility statutes. TIME: Do you think there is a limit to what the CBP officers can do in this situation, these federal properties for protection? There is a limit to how far you can go? What kind of arrest that can do? MORGAN: We are always limits within the law. (There are) a lot of false stories. I will address a few. One (is) that they are not marked and identified themselves. This is wrong. I recently tweeted that actually identify six different pieces of markings on his body on average. Police have ‘. You have to show signs of a shoulder belonging to the membership component – in this case it was the Border Patrol. And the other shoulder is a patch that they are actually a member of Customs and Border Protection. So that’s just a flat-out lie when people say that unmarked. It ‘the same as seen in the same uniform that will almost four weeks out of the Federal Court that the protesters themselves and average night after night after night in the same uniform in the same markedly. And these are precisely the same people who identify and apprehend someone attempts were under the authority who had just assaulted a federal agent. Everyone knew exactly who they were. A sense that matters in Washington. Subscribe to daily direct current, short newsletter. TIME: what is clearly marked rather than a reason for the use of an MPV vehicle? MORGAN: The use of unmarked vehicles is a standard procedure. I worked 20 years for the FBI. I have never driven a remarkable machine in twenty years. The FBI has had thousands of unmarked vehicles. The use of unmarked vehicles by police – city, state and federal governments – is a common practice. One, it gives us the advantage, of course, be able to go on effectively, and identify someone to make their arrest, without informing you arrive and then run into the situation. And the second thing is, look at what it is right now in all major cities of the country this year. What are you doing? These criminals – not peaceful demonstrators, but criminals who have taken over the peaceful protesters – our vehicles are actually targeted. In New York, there was a case where a set of fire were actually thrown in a marked police vehicle, while the uniformed police officers inside. In Portland, I think it was two nights, scored a vehicle Portland police was also vandalized. So let’s pay attention and more criminal activity on the vehicle does not steer by marking it as well. TIME: CBP agents you have to protect federal institutions in other cities outside of Portland? MORGAN: We are ready to do so. If you go back to the beginning of July, we had. We had people in the capital region and, I think, more than a dozen different places, where we actually helped state and local. Portland is currently the only sector in which we have supported FPS on federal property. And that’s an important distinction. They brought the viral video in which the unmarked vehicle is used. The individual who are trying to conceive, had just committed a federal crime to assault a federal agent. Someone is federal property, but instead uses a gun attack a federal agent on federal property – yes, of course we have to go the legal authority and arrest anyone, regardless of where they at, who had just committed a federal crime. TIME: Have you ever been told to use ‘no’ to a request of the officers of the White House CBP during the riots? MORGAN: Absolutely not. I have the president and the administration of the White House towards full 100% support for the rule of law. This is a cornerstone of American society stone. We had credible information and insights that these same criminals would begin targeting federal buildings (in Portland). And I do not need to be asked. I volunteered CBP resources to help make FPS to move their work to protect the government building. TIME: Are CBP go drones are used and are used for the help of law enforcement agencies in the cities? MORGAN: Do not be in certain tactics that we use, but what I want to say that as an active Commissioner, I’m licensed all the activities that we conduct to protect federal buildings their mission, and secure and protect the law enforcement protection authorities, non c ‘ is. I approve all the goods that we actually able to do within the law. TIME: Did you have a career with the FBI. He had a senior position in the academy training. What if these videos by federal officials see batons and beat the Americans on the road swinging your answer? MORGAN: I take exception with the premise of your question. It is not a question we must first ask: Why do we have criminals who intentionally organizing, planning and coordination to destroy every single night with the intention of federal property, and violating federal agents and officers? And they are carrying weapons, they must be brought bats, are bringing frozen water bottles, which are putting spikes and nail plywood to cover up entrances to the building and the inclusion of commercial fireworks in a building with the intention of building data on fire with the police inside. Is not that what we should ask ,? It ‘s amazing that the local mayor, actually said (in Portland), that the mere presence of federal police is what is inciting violence. This is outrageous. This is absurd and idiotic. The violent activities happening long before we used additional resources there. The first night we provided additional funds, we were actually in a defensive position in the federal building. Among other things, the mayor said was we have to do. And guess what? The protesters have come to build. The graffiti was not enough for them. Shouting was not enough for them. They came in and broke the window. They broke a glass door and tried to enter the building and attach federal agents who were inside the building. Again last night, we were in one of the federal buildings, and what did they do? They entered the building and are absolutely were breaking doors and try to enter. Why do not you report it? Because this is the truth, and these are the facts. TIME: What will be the temperature? MORGAN: I think the most important question. and what is going to bring the temperature that we must be united and that no matter what your agenda, no matter what your attitude is, no matter what you want to get your message out, violence is not the right path, we need local leadership, and we need leadership of Congress on both sides of the aisle to say, get up, ‘This is not the way. Violence is not the Weg.’Unabhängig right of where you stand on the positions, regardless of where you think the injustice that is no justification for violence. What is now going on in Portland, criminals what they do has nothing to do with the memory of George Floyd. Nothing. These people have an agenda that has nothing to do with the tragic death of George Floyd. They will destroy there with an agenda. Let us stop the violence and really listen to make significant changes more usable dialogue have we made all must believe in common. TIME: How to federal officials in order to avoid the perception that it is like Trump sees a personal power sends these groups, on the way to his face? MORGAN: Let me ask you. What should we do? In other cities, the police of their legal responsibility, stepped away what happened? City burned. Precincts burned. They were taken law enforcement areas. Well, we do not do so at federal facilities. The American people want to do to us, we will do what I think. We will do what I think we have a responsibility to the American people, and that is to maintain law and order. I think the American people do not want a federal court to look scorched earth. I think the American people do not want companies to the ground, burned and looted to see. I think the American people do not want to police areas are taken over by criminals see. I think the American people want to go out and have their baby in the stroller or as balls hit in his apartment Whiz why not fortunately happened to be in their apartment and into the bedroom of her daughter there. In my opinion, this is what this president is going, and that’s what he tried to do to restore law and order and confidence in the public that we are going to happen without the law will not allow it. TIME: CBP forces have been specifically trained to be on the border – to cross to confront drug traffickers and people who illegally try the border. E ‘is right now that are used to deal with US citizens in US cities that are located far from the borders? MORGAN: I refuse again the premise that they are confronted with American citizens. This is not what happens. I think it’s for me to really push the frustrating part of the premise of the question of the wrong story. We are not here to deal with American citizens. Is the opposite. We support absolutely every citizen God gave American constitutional right to peaceful protest. We are to protect property from criminal attacks pact. And we are there to ensure that we apply consequences under the law to those individuals who commit crimes attacking federal property, and or federal agents. And if someone takes a bat, or if someone brings a slingshot with a bullet metal or marble and shoots toward a federal agent to hurt them – yes, we’ll have them. And we will arrest them and going to be consequences. Because this is a crime and these are criminals. I will not send resource wherever American citizens face. But I will send resources our legal responsibility to do to protect federal property. And I want to get out and support our men and women arrested people, officers and federal agents assault. I think they are proud to do so. CBP has not only decided to just protect the edge. Your task is to protect the American people. And where are they going to be asked to do it … this is what they will do, and that’s what I support. And that’s what we’re doing. Picture copyright by Samuel Corum Getty Images
CBP director Mark Morgan Defends Controversial Deployment cities
