The federal agents who have gone toe-to-toe with protestors demanding racial justice after George Floyd, a black man was killed by a white police officer who knelt on his neck for over 8 minutes, are slated to begin a phased withdrawal from Portland's downtown area starting Thursday. This was announced by Oregon's Democratic Governor Kate Brown.

Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf released a statement noting that he and Brown have remained in contact for more than 24 hours and have come up with a joint plan to put an end to the violent activity targetting law enforcement officers and federal properties in Portland. Wolf said as part of the plan, there will be a robust presence of Oregon State Police in downtown Portland.

Wolf also revealed in the statement that state and local enforcement will secure properties and streets, including those around federal properties, given that they have been under nightly attack for the past two months. In collaboration with the FPS (Federal Protective Service), the Oregon State Police will ensure all federal facilities remain secure and protected, he added.

New policies that were unanimously passed by the City Council barred the Portland Police Bureau from cooperating with federal law enforcement officers last week, OregonLive reported. In the recently released statement, Wolf pointed out that Donald Trump and his administration have consistently reminded that violent criminal activity targeted at federal properties and law enforcement will not be tolerated, and have urged state and local leaders to step forward and police their communities.

In his statement, Wolf clarified that the Department of Homeland Security will not ignore its legal duty to provide protection for the federal law enforcement officers and ensure properties are not damaged during such criminal behavior. He also pointed out that Trump has assured that this administration is willing to collaborate with state and local law enforcement to ensure the safety of the people of America.

The Department along with this Administration will not stop fulfilling its solemn obligation to support federal law across the United States, Wolf said. Brown, on the other hand, accused federal officers of fueling violence and serving as an occupying force in announcing the joint plan to withdraw federal forces from Portland, before then applauding the Black Lives Matter movement.

Brown took to her Twitter account to announce that the federal government has said it will withdraw federal officers from Portland, following her discussion with VP Pence and others. She said federal officers, who have acted as an occupying force have brought violence and confirmed that all ICE and Customs and Border Protection officers will leave downtown Portland starting July 30.