Donald Trump has ordered troops to Portland, Oregon, and authorised the use of full force if necessary to stop protests at immigration detention centres.
The president said the measure would defend federal facilities from what he described as attacks by Antifa and other domestic terrorists. He called the city war-ravaged in a Truth Social post.
The move extends federal deployments across US cities as part of his crackdown on illegal immigration.
democrats reject federal action
Democratic lawmakers denounced the decision, insisting Portland faced no threat requiring military intervention.
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek described communities as calm and safe. She said any troop deployment would be an abuse of power.
Speaking on Saturday, Kotek confirmed she was working with Attorney General Dan Rayfield to explore legal steps. She pledged the state would respond if needed.
trump’s order leaves questions
Trump did not specify whether the National Guard or regular military forces would be sent. 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 updates as details emerged.
protests escalate into charges
Portland’s immigration facility has faced protests since early June, some leading to violent clashes.
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 centre. Officials confirmed arrests and federal charges against several demonstrators.
The department also alleged Rose City Antifa exposed ICE officers’ addresses online and on flyers. It said activists linked to the group sent death threats to staff.
antifa labelled terrorist organisation
Earlier this week, Trump signed an order declaring Antifa a domestic terrorist organisation. The group is loosely organised and tied to far-left activists.
Legal scholars warned no US law permits such a designation. They said the move could face First Amendment challenges on free speech grounds.
fears of repeating 2020
Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon warned the federal response might mirror 2020, when forces deployed after the murder of George Floyd.
Wyden urged Oregonians not to react violently. He said Trump sought to incite unrest.
Other Democrats accused ICE of targeting people without criminal records.
Representative Suzanne Bonamici said ICE promised to focus on criminals but detained others instead. She cited cases of a father arrested outside his child’s preschool and a firefighter detained while battling wildfires.
The Cato Institute reported 65% of ICE detainees had no criminal convictions.
republican support for trump
Some Republicans supported the deployment despite Democratic criticism.
Labour Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer called Portland a crime-ridden warzone. She thanked Trump for protecting immigration facilities and praised his leadership.
Chavez-DeRemer, a former Oregon lawmaker, said lawlessness had spread through the city.
legality under scrutiny
Trump previously deployed 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 sent after immigration raids. Days of unrest followed, with tear gas used on demonstrators.
A federal judge later ruled that deployment illegal under the Posse Comitatus Act, which limits military action in domestic affairs.
It remains unclear whether Trump has the legal authority to send forces to Oregon.
