Holly MatkinPortland, OR – Two shirtless “protesters” laughed at the idea that a large explosion that went off near the federal courthouse in downtown Portland on Tuesday could have potentially killed a law enforcement officer.
“F–k it,” one of the demonstrators told the Daily Caller during the July 28 interview. “If one of them cops got killed – good!”
The Daily Caller shared a Twitter video of the fireball as it exploded against the courthouse wall inside the protective perimeter fence that city leaders have demanded the federal government remove.
Richie McGinniss, chief video director for the Daily Caller, tweeted a video of his brief interview with two “protesters” after the explosion.
“You guys see that explosion?” McGinniss asked them.
One of the men replied that he had witnessed “lots of cool explosions” that night.
When McGinniss explained he was talking about the “big one” that went off “right up against” the courthouse wall, the demonstrator indicated that he had also seen it.
Here’s that explosion I was talking about earlier at the courthouse:pic.twitter.com/kEKJYkmE0m
— Shelby Talcott (@ShelbyTalcott) July 28, 2020
McGinniss asked him what he thought about the explosion, at which point the “protester” flashed him a “thumbs up.”
“Do you think that would hurt the cops if it f–king blew up on them?” the video director asked.
“Probably, yeah,” the demonstrator casually responded. “I wouldn’t want to sit in there, that’s all I have to say. I didn’t throw it, so I have nothing to do with it, but…”
McGinniss then asked him what his reaction would be if the explosion had killed one of the officers.
The protester immediately began laughing.
“F–k it!” the man sitting next to him suddenly interrupted. “If one of them cops got killed – good!”
I asked these guys what they thought about the large explosion outside the doors to of the federal courthouse last night:
“What would you think if one of those cops died?”
“Fuck it. If one of them cops got killed, good.” pic.twitter.com/vzJ6jJyZmY
— Richie🎥McG🍿 (@RichieMcGinniss) July 28, 2020
Rioters have repeatedly fired mortars and other projectiles at police, sprayed the federal courthouse with graffiti, broken windows, attempted to barricade exits, and ignited fires inside and outside of the courthouse and other buildings during the nightly attacks that have taken place over the past two months.
They have blocked traffic, destroyed parks and other public spaces, and caused over $23 million in losses to downtown businesses due to looting and rioting.
Sandy Malone
