‘Do it the hard way’: DHS Secretary wants to buy more Portland buildings for federal agents

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – The Trump Administration is considering buying more buildings in Portland to station federal officers, according to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

During a cabinet meeting on Thursday, Noem told President Donald Trump that they are looking at buying property as a way to “double down” if city leaders do not meet DHS’s demands for law enforcement and security.

“If we have to do it the hard way…we will,” she told the president.

According to Noem, the same strategy of purchasing property has been useful in Chicago by allowing DHS to deploy more federal agents.

“What they’re trying to do with these riots and violence is distract us and keep us from going after those murderers and rapists that are out in the streets,” she said.

As of Thursday afternoon, KOIN 6 News crews counted 10 protesters standing outside the South Portland ICE facility.

Noem visited Portland to tour the ICE facility earlier this week. While in town, she met with city leaders Mayor Keith Wilson and Police Chief Bob Day.

“They are all lying and disingenuous and dishonest people,” Noem said. “As soon as you leave the room, then they make the exact opposite response.”

Chief Bob Day said there were clearly some differences of opinion between Noem and local law enforcement. Mayor Keith Wilson said federal agents’ tactics at the ICE facility have been “troubling and likely unconstitutional.”

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek also met with Noem when she arrived at the airport, saying she “reiterated again that there is no insurrection in Oregon.”

Noem has also recently claimed that city leaders have been covering up terrorism on Portland’s streets while actively helping Antifa. Both Mayor Wilson and Chief Day rejected that claim on Thursday.

“The Portland Police Bureau has a long standing history of working closely with our partners, of addressing crime in the city of Portland,” Day said. “There’s no cover up or collaboration. Our job doesn’t change. It’s the same today as it was yesterday, as it was six months ago.”

According to Wilson, the Trump Administration is trying to inflame a narrative.

“I reject that we’re covering up for a made-up, disparate group that has no real central, organization or anything like that,” Wilson said. “We all know it’s made up stories to try and create an isolated opportunity for the federal government to come in, when it’s just not needed.”

Wilson also added that if federal officials want to work with city leaders, there’s a seat at the table.