Donald Trump has ordered the deployment of troops to Portland, Oregon, authorising use of 'full force' if needed, to suppress protests targeting immigration detention centres. The US president claimed the move would help protect 'any of our ICE Facilities under siege from attack by Antifa and other domestic terrorists', characterising the city as 'war ravaged' in a Truth Social post. This announcement marks a further expansion of troop deployments in US cities, amid a wider crackdown by the Trump administration on illegal immigration. The latest move has drawn pushback from Democratic lawmakers, who said there was no need for federal troops to be deployed to Portland.
'There is no national security threat in Portland. Our communities are safe and calm,' said Oregon Governor Tina Kotek. Kotek told a news conference that 'any deployment would be an abuse of power', and said she was working with Oregon's Attorney General to see if any response is necessary. Trump's post does not specify whether he intends to activate the national guard or regular US military - nor what is meant by the use of 'full force'.
Despite backlash from Democrats, the move has drawn support from some Republican officials. US Labour Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer stated she had seen how 'lawlessness' had turned Portland into a 'crime-ridden warzone', expressing gratitude to Trump for his actions.
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Portland has been targeted by protesters since early June, leading to violent clashes and widespread unrest. Local lawmakers have criticized the actions of ICE agents in the state, urging community members to remain vigilant against incitements to violence from Trump. Legal experts point out the lack of a legal mechanism to designate any organization, including Antifa, as a domestic terrorist group, suggesting potential constitutional challenges ahead.
'There is no national security threat in Portland. Our communities are safe and calm,' said Oregon Governor Tina Kotek. Kotek told a news conference that 'any deployment would be an abuse of power', and said she was working with Oregon's Attorney General to see if any response is necessary. Trump's post does not specify whether he intends to activate the national guard or regular US military - nor what is meant by the use of 'full force'.
Despite backlash from Democrats, the move has drawn support from some Republican officials. US Labour Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer stated she had seen how 'lawlessness' had turned Portland into a 'crime-ridden warzone', expressing gratitude to Trump for his actions.
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Portland has been targeted by protesters since early June, leading to violent clashes and widespread unrest. Local lawmakers have criticized the actions of ICE agents in the state, urging community members to remain vigilant against incitements to violence from Trump. Legal experts point out the lack of a legal mechanism to designate any organization, including Antifa, as a domestic terrorist group, suggesting potential constitutional challenges ahead.
