President Donald Trump has authorized the deployment of US troops to Portland, Oregon, due to escalating tensions and recent protests. In a post on Truth Social, Trump directed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to provide the necessary troops to safeguard the city and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities, claiming they are under threat from groups he described as Antifa and domestic terrorists. He mentioned the possibility of using “full force” if circumstances require it.
This decision signifies a broader trend of increased military presence in American cities amidst the Trump administration’s intensified focus on illegal immigration enforcement. However, local leaders, including Portland’s mayor, Keith Wilson, have expressed opposition to federal troop deployment, stating that federal intervention is unnecessary.
Protests targeting the ICE facility in Portland have occasionally escalated into violent confrontations, resulting in injuries to federal agents. While Trump’s announcement did not clarify whether the mobilization would involve the National Guard or regular military forces, it followed prior comments where he hinted at a significant operation to address what he referred to as “professional agitators and anarchists” in the city.
Earlier in the month, Trump had described conditions in Portland as “like living in hell” and suggested he was considering sending in federal forces. He also recently signed an executive order designating antifa as a domestic terrorist organization. Democratic lawmakers from Oregon have criticized Trump’s statements and the actions of ICE agents. Representative Suzanne Bonamici remarked that ICE’s claims of targeting individuals for arrest based on crimes do not align with observed conduct in the community.
The Department of War has been contacted for more information regarding this troop deployment and its implications.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cddmn6ge6e2o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss