The Trump administration is escalating efforts to deploy federal law enforcement officers in several Democratic-led cities, as part of what it calls a crackdown to address crime and restore order.

President Donald Trump has described these deployments as a potential “training ground” for the military, with Washington, DC, Los Angeles, Chicago and Portland among the targeted cities.

While the White House views protests in Portland, Oregon, as an opening to bolster Trump’s federal crime agenda, Democratic leaders nationwide are pushing back, arguing the moves are politically motivated and unnecessary.

While the federal government remains shut down after a deadlocked Congress failed to reach a deal on funding, most of the federal law enforcement agents and members of the National Guard wil

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