Jim Inhofe: “I want to start by doing something that has become a little controversial. It shouldn't be, and the fact that it is…”

“I want to start by doing something that has become a little controversial. It shouldn't be, and the fact that it is reflects a sad time in our Nation's history. Here it is: To our Nation's police, sheriffs, and all other law enforcement officers out there--State and Federal--thank you. I appreciate you and am grateful for your service. Why has that become controversial? Because all of a sudden, criticizing and demonizing our Nation's law enforcement has become the popular liberal thing to do. Over the last few days, you have probably seen the liberal mainstream media making wild claims and accusations that President Trump has deployed so-called secret police to Portland. These allegations got even more attention over the last few weeks because some of my Democratic colleagues came down to the floor and made the wildest accusations about how the Federal officers were the worst in the world. Some of the words they used were: ``bold,'' ``sadistic,'' ``Gestapos,'' ``storm troopers,'' ``paramilitary''--words designed to stir the emotions of everyone watching. They were talking about the law enforcement community. They were talking about sheriffs and police. Rather than letting these wild allegations go unchecked, let's remember how we got here. For over 60 days, violent demonstrators have laid siege on Portland. That is not an exaggeration. They have specifically and deliberately attacked a Federal courthouse, attempting to destroy it.…”