CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Federal authorities reportedly are making plans to deploy dozens of government agents to Chicago as soon as this week.
The Chicago Tribune said the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is expected to send 150 agents. This comes as militarized and unidentified federal agents have drawn attention in Portland, Oregon by wearing camouflage and driving unmarked vehicles.
Portland has been the site of civil unrest and nonstop demonstrations, but critics say the federal agents seem more like the secret armies of repressive regimes and have seized people off the streets. A U.S. Navy veteran says he was beaten by some of the agents when he tried to question them.
President Trump has blasted Chicago and other cities where protests have occurred. He blames liberal Democrats for letting anarchists get out of hand.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Monday questioned the tactics of the agents in Portland. She said the Trump Administration could better assist Chicago by helping fight gun violence.
"He could empower the ATF to actually do what they're supposed to do, which is go after illegal gun sales, go after federally licensed gun dealers that aren't doing their job, (that) are selling to people that they know are straw purchasers," Lightfoot said.
