The press has been playing defense for Portland anarchists for weeks, suggesting riots and arson against a federal courthouse were provoked by federal agents protecting it. When the Trump Administration lowered the profile of its agents in an agreement with the state government, the media’s protest cheerleaders were eager to report that the real cause of the violence had gone away. “Trump ordered federal forces to quell Portland protests. But the chaos ended as soon as they left,” said a July 31 Washington Post headline.

Source: Wall Street Journal August 10, 2020 23:15 UTC