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‘He made a fool out of himself’: Trump mocks tear gassing of Portland Mayor during protests

Getty Images
Getty Images

President Donald Trump has mocked the gassing of Portland’s Mayor during a protest in Oregon.

Mayor Ted Wheeler was reportedly tear-gassed when he turned up to support protesters angry at Mr Trump’s deployment of federal agents in Oregon’s biggest city, according to video and Twitter posts on Wednesday night.

Mr Trump took a dig at the mayor while talking to Sean Hannity on Fox News saying that he looked “pretty pathetic” for attending a rally and "made a fool out of himself."

“He wanted to be among the people, so he went into the crowd. And so they knocked the hell out of him, so that was the end of him.” Mr Trump said.

Mr Wheeler who appeared somewhat dazed at one point on Wednesday night was seen putting on protective eyewear that was handed to him.

Protests in the city have raged on for two months following the death of George Floyd, calling on authorities to reform Portland’s police department since Floyd’s death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer on 25 May.

The death of Floyd has catalysed national civil unrest with demonstrations against systemic racism, police brutality, and racial discrimination having previously broken out in all 50 states.

Mr Wheeler spoke out at the protests on Wednesday against the deployment of federal forces in Portland, which the federal government has insisted is necessary to restore order in the city.

The mayor called the situation “abhorrent” and told crowds that he was there “to stand with you no matter what”.

“If they launch the tear gas against you, then they’re launching the tear gas against me,” he said.

Some protesters condemned his attendance at the protest, holding signs that read “tear gas Ted” amid accusations that he allowed Portland police to use tear gas against protesters before federal agents arrived.

While Mr Wheeler was met with some applause, others booed him following his alleged inaction to defund the city’s police force or commit to sweeping police reforms.

Portland’s city council voted on Wednesday to end police bureau cooperation with federal government agencies charged with protecting government property.

Mr Trump continued to press forward with militant tactics as he announced more deployments to Chicago and Albuquerque and New Mexico to stamp out protests.

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