President Trump says he will send federal law enforcement to US cities

"We're gonna have more federal law enforcement, that I can tell you," Trump said.

Published: July 20, 2020 5:01pm

Updated: July 20, 2020 7:04pm

President Trump on Monday said he intends to dispatch federal law enforcement to U.S. cities.

When asked whether he is considering dispatching 175 federal troops to cities such as Portland, Oregon, the president told reporters, "it depends on what your definition of troops is," and said, "we’re sending law enforcement," adding that "Portland was totally out of control."

The president during his remarks in the Oval Office said that he will "do something." He mentioned the cities of New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Detroit, Baltimore and Oakland. "We're not gonna let this happen in our country," he said.

"We're gonna have more federal law enforcement, that I can tell you," Trump said, praising the recent efforts of federal law enforcement officers in Portland.

The Chicago Tribune reported that the Department of Homeland Security is developing plans to deploy approximately 150 federal agents in the Windy City this week.

President Trump on Monday emphasized the large amount of shootings in Chicago, an issue which he has previously expressed concern about.