Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler is moving out of his home after rioters descended Monday on the building that houses the Democrat’s $800,000 condo, setting fires and breaking windows, according to a news report.
Wheeler sent an email Tuesday to other residents in his high-rise condo building saying that finding a different home would be “best for me and for everyone else’s safety and peace,” according to The Oregonian. Portlanders have experienced daily riots since the May 25 death of George Floyd after a Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck for seven minutes, video of the incident shows.
“I want to express my sincere apologies for the damage to our home and the fear that you are experiencing due to my position,” Wheeler, a Democrat, wrote in the email, a screenshot obtained by The Oregonian shows. “It’s unfair to all of you who have no role in politics or in my administration.”
Wheeler bought the condo for $840,000 three years ago, The Oregonian noted, citing county property records.
On Monday, some rioters graffitied and damaged his building and tossed a burning pile of newspapers into retail space in the building, The Oregonian reported. Police arrested 19 people.
Wheeler has faced increased criticism due to the daily violent riots, with President Donald Trump calling him a “joke” for rejecting the president’s request to provide federal help to quail the violence.
“Portland is a mess, and it has been for many years. If this joke of a mayor doesn’t clean it up, we will go in and do it for them!” the president said in an Aug. 31 tweet.
Trump’s comments came after a pro-police demonstrator was shot and killed in the street Saturday night in Portland.
Wheeler rejected Trump’s offer Aug. 22 to send federal assistance, according to an official statement.
“We don’t need your politics of division and demagoguery. Portlanders are onto you. We have already seen your reckless disregard for human life in your bumbling response to the COVID pandemic. And we know you’ve reached the conclusion that images of violence or vandalism are your only ticket to reelection,” the mayor said in an Aug. 28 statement.
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