The decision means that "several dozen" federal agents are deployed to maintain law and order, writes the news agency.

The move takes place in connection with what is called "Operation Legend", a project that was launched to combat the violence that flared up in connection with the protests after George Floyd's death in Minneapoilis on May 25.

Federal forces are already in place in Chicago, Kansas City, Missouri and Albuquerque, among others.

Protests in Portland

The federal forces that have been in place in Portland, Oregon, where the protests have been particularly persistent and often violent, have received sharp criticism from, among others, the city's mayor.

According to the city government, police have exacerbated the situation by using disproportionate force against the protesters.

But according to U.S. Attorney General William Barr, federal forces are needed.

"In the wake of George Floyd's death, perpetrators of violence and anarchists have kidnapped the legitimate protests to wreak havoc and chaos on innocent victims," ​​Barr told a congressional hearing on Tuesday.