To POTUS, DHS Director and Leadership of Other Involved Federal LE Agencies (hope you, or someone on staff, reads this):

Regarding the media flatulence over "militarized" appearance of law enforcement involved in policing the insurrection (because, dammit, that is exactly what it is) in Portland and possibly other places in the near future, I say as a former member of a major metro command staff…

Give the people what they want. After all, they asked for it.

It is, of course, unreasonable to expect that our officers would go into a situation without the tactical resources, equipment, uniforms that are "militarized" because the situations the LEO's face are precisely the kind of circumstance which justifies the use of that equipment. However, there IS a tactic which will allow the use of tactical teams outfitted with military equipment that does respond both proactively and aggressively to the insurrectionists' plans.

How? By use of a multi-pronged counter. First, plainclothes officers dressed (and masked) like the insurrectionists enter from a tactically advantageous position behind or on the flank of the area of action. They should be armored and armed with light weapons (mace, batons, pistols) and carrying plenty of flexcuffs. Their plainclothes should be altered to the extent that they can uncover a clear indicator that they are police at the last second. The plainclothes officers move in from behind at the same time as the tactical teams move from other positions, and a third team of uniformed officers move into perimeter positions, some of whom will deploy loudspeakers which broadcast (at a very high volume so no one can miss it) the fact that Federal officers are now engaged in lawful arrest of people suspected of participating in the commission of Federal crimes.

The "presence" of uniformed police will make clear that the officers in tactical gear are involved in the takedown, and the presence of "infiltrators" will create doubt, distrust and confusion among the insurrectionists. At a minimum this should force them to change tactics (which you should be able to foresee and counter, if your folks are thinking about it.)

Own your battlespace, please.