Trump Talks Of Sending Federal Agents To Philly, Other Cities

PHILADELPHIA — President Donald Trump said Philadelphia and other cities "run by liberal Democrats" may have federal agents deployed to them to help local law enforcement.

In the Oval Office Monday, Trump said his administration may deploy federal agents to several cities, including Philadelphia, to support law enforcement.

The administration's deployment of agents who are reportedly using unmarked vehicles to round up protests in Portland, Oregon has already spurred legal action from lawmakers and rights groups.

"I'm going to do something — that, I can tell you," Trump said. "Because we're not going to let New York and Chicago and Philadelphia and Detroit and Baltimore and all of these — Oakland is a mess. We're not going to let this happen in our country. All run by liberal Democrats."

Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said in a news conference Monday she only became aware of the potential deployment to Philadelphia through the media, not from any federal or state source.

Mayor Jim Kenney echoed Outlaw's comment, saying the city has had no word on federal agents being deployed to the city.

"While the City of Philadelphia has not received any formal notification that federal agents will be sent here, we would use all available means to resist such an abuse of power," he said on Twitter.

District Attorney Larry Krasner on Monday implied the decision to send federal agents to American cities was a fascistic tactic.

"My dad volunteered and served in World War II to fight fascism, like most of my uncles, so we would not have an American president brutalizing and kidnapping Americans for exercising their constitutional rights and trying to make America a better place, which is what patriots do," Krasner said. "Anyone, including federal law enforcement, who unlawfully assaults and kidnaps people will face criminal charges from my office. At trial, they will face a Philadelphia jury. It’s the least we can do to honor those who fought fascism, including those who are fighting it even now."