Donald Trump has directed troops to Portland, Oregon, authorising the use of full force if necessary to control protests at immigration detention centres.
The president said the move would defend facilities from Antifa attacks and other domestic threats. He described the city as war-ravaged in a Truth Social post.
The order expands federal troop deployments in US cities as part of his broader crackdown on illegal immigration.
democratic leaders push back
Democratic officials criticised the deployment, saying Portland faces no threat that requires federal forces.
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek called communities calm and safe. She said any deployment would abuse presidential power.
At a Saturday news conference, Kotek confirmed she was working with Attorney General Dan Rayfield to consider legal action. She promised Oregon would respond if necessary.
unclear details in trump’s order
Trump did not clarify whether he planned to send National Guard units or regular military personnel. He also left the meaning of full force undefined.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the military stood ready to support the Department of Homeland Security in Portland. He promised further updates as details became available.
protests spark arrests and federal charges
Since early June, Portland’s immigration facility has faced repeated protests, some of which turned violent.
By 8 September, federal prosecutors had charged 26 people with crimes including arson, assaulting officers and resisting arrest.
The Department of Homeland Security accused protesters of laying siege to the facility. Officials confirmed arrests and federal charges against several individuals.
Authorities also said Rose City Antifa illegally published ICE officers’ addresses online. They claimed affiliated activists sent death threats to staff.
trump designates antifa as terrorist organisation
Earlier this week, Trump signed an order naming Antifa a domestic terrorist group. The network is loosely organised and linked to far-left activists.
Legal experts said US law does not allow such formal designations. They warned the order could face First Amendment challenges protecting speech and assembly.
echoes of 2020 unrest
Oregon Senator Ron Wyden warned federal agents might repeat tactics used in 2020 after George Floyd’s murder.
He urged Oregonians not to react violently, accusing Trump of provoking unrest.
Other Democrats criticised ICE for detaining individuals without criminal convictions.
Representative Suzanne Bonamici cited cases including a father arrested outside his child’s preschool and a firefighter detained while battling wildfires.
The Cato Institute reported that 65% of ICE detainees had no criminal record.
republican support for deployment
Some Republican officials backed Trump’s decision.
Labour Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer described Portland as a crime-ridden warzone. She thanked Trump for protecting federal facilities and praised his leadership.
Chavez-DeRemer, a former Oregon lawmaker, said lawlessness had taken hold of the city.
legal authority remains uncertain
Trump previously sent the National Guard to Los Angeles and Washington DC. Federal agents are also expected in Memphis, Tennessee, next week.
In Los Angeles, 2,000 federal agents were deployed following immigration raids. Days of clashes followed, with tear gas used to disperse protesters.
A federal judge later ruled the deployment illegal under the Posse Comitatus Act, which limits military use in domestic affairs.
It remains unclear whether Trump has legal authority to send troops into Oregon.
