With strategy and oversight, Mayor Wheeler and the police bureau openly admitted their role in the coordination of political violence in Portland. In his statement, Mayor Wheeler endorsed a far-right extremist belief of the right to “mutual combat,” that has been openly advocated by white nationalists and anti-government extremists. Wheeler used the words, “violence was contained to the groups of people who chose to engage in violence toward each other” dogwhistling an idea that had previously been documented records of police communications with Washington resident Joey Gibson, self-appointed brand manager of the Patriot Prayer hate empowerment organization. Wheeler went to minimize the reality of the event and marginalize marginalize the victims of far-right terrorists by commenting how “community at large was not harmed and the broader public was protected.”

Prior to the violence, Wheeler sent conflicting messages signing pledges with local leaders condemning hate speech and bigotry while remaining silent on the violence has become common place in Portland politics.

Wheeler’s paltry condemnations and assertions that the event was contrary to his values was further weakened by his open suggestions that the event and its accompanying violence may be appropriate outside city limits. Wheeler further signaled his welcoming of violence communicating his bureau “will not intercede” a phrase often internationally interpreted as an all clear to the escalations weaponry in the absence of a peacekeeping force. Police did not intercede gun fight produced.

Wheeler’s decision had the effect of appeasing the far-right extremist by providing “breathing room” to stage violent acts away from his downtown business constituency, something openly boasted about in texts.

Wheeler, who known for his nonsequitur use of masochistic phraseology and is closing his fifth year as mayor, has a poor record of defending free speech from planned demonstrations of violence.