Donald Trump has ordered troops to Portland, Oregon, and authorised the use of full force if needed to control protests at immigration detention centres.
The president said the measure would defend immigration facilities from what he called Antifa attacks and actions by domestic terrorists. He described Portland as war-ravaged in a Truth Social post.
The move expands federal deployments in US cities and forms part of his wider immigration enforcement strategy.
democrats push back
Democratic leaders swiftly condemned the decision. They argued Portland faced no threat that justified troop deployment.
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek called the communities safe and calm. She said any deployment would represent an abuse of power.
Speaking on Saturday, Kotek confirmed she was working with Attorney General Dan Rayfield to review possible responses. She assured the state would act if necessary.
lack of clarity in trump’s order
Trump gave no details on whether he would activate the National Guard or regular military forces. He also did not explain what full force would mean in practice.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell stated the military was prepared to support the Department of Homeland Security in Portland. He promised more information when available.
protests and criminal charges
Since early June, protesters have targeted Portland’s immigration facility, sometimes resulting in violent clashes.
By 8 September, federal prosecutors had charged 26 people with crimes such as arson, assaulting police officers and resisting arrest.
The Department of Homeland Security accused demonstrators of repeatedly attacking the facility. Officials confirmed arrests and federal charges against several participants.
The department also claimed Rose City Antifa exposed ICE officers’ home addresses online. It said affiliated activists had sent death threats to staff.
trump brands antifa a terrorist group
Trump signed an order earlier this week labelling Antifa a domestic terrorist organisation. The group is loosely organised and linked to far-left activists.
Legal experts said US law does not allow formal designation of domestic terror groups. They warned such efforts could face constitutional challenges under the First Amendment.
echoes of 2020 unrest
Oregon Senator Ron Wyden warned federal agents might be using the same playbook as in 2020 after the murder of George Floyd.
Wyden urged Oregonians to resist provocation. He said Trump’s approach aimed to incite violence.
Other Democrats criticised ICE practices. They said agents detained individuals without criminal convictions.
Representative Suzanne Bonamici highlighted incidents including the arrest of a father at his child’s preschool and a firefighter detained during a wildfire mission.
The Cato Institute reported 65% of people detained by ICE had no criminal record.
republican voices of support
Despite criticism, Republicans offered support.
Labour Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer called Portland a crime-ridden warzone. She thanked Trump for acting to protect immigration facilities.
Chavez-DeRemer, a former Oregon representative, said lawlessness had damaged the city.
legal questions remain
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 to deal with unrest after immigration raids. Days of clashes followed, with authorities using tear gas against demonstrators.
A federal judge ruled the Los Angeles deployment illegal under the Posse Comitatus Act, which restricts domestic use of military forces.
It remains unclear whether Trump has legal authority to send troops to Oregon.
