Led by former Vice President Joe Biden, Democrats have insisted that the riots targeting a federal courthouse and federal law enforcement officers in Portland are actually "peaceful." They have been supported by media that downplays violence committed by the "protesters" and highlights anything the officers do to defend themselves or to disperse the crowd. The Democrats have also demonized federal law enforcement for merely doing what local authorities have refused to do.

Last week, Biden accused federal law enforcement of "brutally attacking peaceful protesters" in Portland. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) called the officers "stormtroopers" and Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC) called them "Gestapo." Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said that the demonstrators "represent the best of our democratic ideals."