Oregon Republican leaders at the state and federal level are stopping short of calling for National Guard intervention in Portland.

In statements and interviews, U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz, Senate Republican Leader Bruce Starr , House Minority Leader Lucetta Elmer and former House Minority Leader Christine Drazan all expressed frustration with protests at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Portland.

Asked if they support President Donald Trump’s attempt to deploy National Guard troops to intervene in those Portland protests, prominent Republicans said they either thought the president was within his rights or that they understood why he did it.

But they did not rally behind the call to get federal troops on the ground. Most said they want local police to step up a

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