We had an earlier report about Mayor Ted Wheeler going out to meet with the radical extremists.

But there’s an important point to make: Wheeler was there when the fires were set, fireworks were shot and rioters had already been throwing projectiles at the agents, all before the feds responded with tear gas to clear the area.

Wheeler was there as they were shooting fireworks at the courthouse:

Meanwhile, protesters down the street have started shooting fireworks at the federal courthouse. pic.twitter.com/XVmfVI1ty5

— Mike Baker (@ByMikeBaker) July 23, 2020

Here he is looking at the fire the rioters set, and adjusting his non-gas mask:

Ted Wheeler by the fire now with goggles looking like a goofy 😂🤯👀 pic.twitter.com/A7LULrg6sJ

— Simulation Warlord🇺🇸 (@zerosum24) July 23, 2020

They were already throwing projectiles at the agents and had thrown them at him, all before the gas.

Someone threw a can at him, and people are chanting "Fuck Ted Wheeler," but he has joined the front lines pic.twitter.com/JW0qWka2mX

— Mike Baker (@ByMikeBaker) July 23, 2020

But, despite actually seeing the fire, seeing them throwing projectiles, even being the target and being there when they’re shooting off fireworks at the building, here’s what he said to the media which was then beamed everywhere and you know is going to be the takeaway story.

.@tedwheeler says, “I saw nothing that provoked this response” when asked about his thoughts on federal law enforcement deploying tear gas.

The building had been set on fire and rioters were throwing explosives. #PortlandRiots pic.twitter.com/M21iOcDfLa

— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) July 23, 2020

Unbelievable. Should the feds just sit there, let themselves be attacked and let them burn the building down?

Here’s more view of what they did:

Rioters have set fire to the Portland federal courthouse. #PortlandRiots #antifa pic.twitter.com/1BZrPpv2fd

— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) July 23, 2020

They did manage to break some of the fencing and continue to attack the agents but the agents also managed to arrest some of them in the melee.

But then, let’s check the further hypocrisy of Mayor Ted Wheeler.

Not only is he the mayor, but he’s also the police commissioner. Which means he’s responsible when the Portland Police throw tear gas. The Portland Police have been throwing tear gas, presumably at his direction or allowance for many of the last 55 days.

After he left the riot last night, the Portland Police threatened it again. Because of course, there was “nothing that provoked it,” right, Ted Wheeler?

Portland police declared a riot and warned of tear gas being used, 36minutes after the mayor (also the police commissioner) had to leave the due to the effects of tear gas pic.twitter.com/CBZwPj8YRm

— Sergio Olmos (@MrOlmos) July 23, 2020

A riot has been declared outside the Justice Center. Disperse to the north and/or west. Disperse immediately. Failure to adhere to this order may subject you to arrest or citation, or riot control agents, including, but not limited to, tear gas and/or impact weapons.

— Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) July 23, 2020

Emboldened by police hatred stoked by the city, rioters attack a @PortlandPolice vehicle giving off audio warnings. #PortlandRiots pic.twitter.com/nJX8LxyKuI

— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) July 23, 2020

So basically he made his statement for the national media to stoke the narrative against the feds/the president and then threatened it himself, meaning yes, indeed it was justified.

Talk about media manipulation, thy name is Ted Wheeler.