President Donald Trump criticized Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler (D) for joining protesters, as he mocked him for being teargassed.
During a phone interview with Fox News on Thursday evening, Trump weighed in on the unrest that erupted in the streets of Portland, Oregon, as federal agents invaded the city amid protests.
According to Trump, Wheeler looked “pretty pathetic” at the rally.
“He made a fool out of himself,” Trump said. “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.”
See Trump’s remarks below:
Footage and images captured Wheeler and others being tear-gassed by federal agents.
WATCH: Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and protesters were tear-gassed by federal officers at a fence guarding a downtown courthouse https://t.co/D3KlV694xv pic.twitter.com/esI3K9Cfku
— CBS News (@CBSNews) July 23, 2020
Like Wheeler, the Wall of Moms protesters who also packed the streets of Portland, were also teargassed.
On Wednesday night, Wheeler opted to attend the protest and at one point verbalized his support of Black Lives Matter as he thanked the demonstrators who attended, who “have come out to oppose the Trump administration’s occupation of this city,” according to The Associated Press.
“I want to thank the thousands of you who have come out to oppose the Trump administration’s occupation of this city,” Wheeler said to the hundreds of protesters who gathered in downtown Portland. “The reason this is important is it is not just happening in Portland … we’re on the front line here in Portland.”
Wheeler’s presence, however, was not welcome by all, as some criticized him there.
Although the demonstration began with a peaceful protest, violence ensued when protesters clashed with federal agents.
On Thursday evening, Wheeler took to Twitter with a series of tweets sharing his opinion of the federal government. With an unwavering stance, he criticized their treatment of Americans.
He tweeted, “What I saw last night was powerful in many ways. I listened, heard, and stood with protesters. And I saw what it means when the federal government unleashes paramilitary forces against its own people.”
It is unconscionable and un-American. We are all committed to change – this must stop so the work can move forward.
— Mayor Ted Wheeler (@tedwheeler) July 24, 2020
“It is unconscionable and un-American,” Wheeler added. “We are all committed to change – this must stop so the work can move forward.”