President Donald Trump announced on Saturday his directive to deploy U.S. troops to Portland, Oregon, to defend federal immigration facilities amid ongoing protests.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated he is authorizing the Department of Defense to provide "all necessary Troops to protect War ravaged Portland."
This initiative targets what the president describes as threats from "Antifa, and other domestic terrorists" besieging Immigration and Customs Enforcement sites.
The ICE facility in Portland has faced repeated demonstrations, occasionally resulting in violent confrontations that have injured federal agents and led to charges against several protesters.
Earlier this month, the Department of Homeland Security noted an incident where demonstrators erected a guillotine, describing it as "unhinged behavior."
Trump's decision aligns with prior federal interventions in response to urban unrest in other cities.
Since the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Trump has intensified his administration's focus on what he terms the "radical left," attributing to it rising political violence.
Over the summer, the president deployed the National Guard and active-duty Marines to Los Angeles to address immigration-related protests.
Similar measures were implemented in the nation’s capital as part of a broader law enforcement strategy.
On Thursday, during remarks in the Oval Office, Trump hinted at forthcoming action in Portland, stating he would conduct "a pretty big number on those people," whom he called "professional agitators and anarchists."
In early September, he described conditions in Portland as "like living in hell" and suggested federal troop involvement, similar to threats made for cities like Chicago and Baltimore to address crime.
The White House and Pentagon have not yet provided details on the Portland deployment, including timelines or troop numbers.
A planned operation in Memphis, Tennessee, expects around 150 National Guard members, fewer than those sent to Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles.
Portland Mayor Keith Wilson issued a statement rejecting federal involvement.
"Like other mayors across the country, I have not asked for -– and do not need -– federal intervention," Wilson said.
He noted that the city has managed to balance freedom of expression with addressing sporadic violence and property damage.
In Memphis, preparations continue for the National Guard’s arrival, coordinated by Republican Governor Bill Lee.
The governor described the troops as part of a resource surge to combat local crime.
Questions remain about the legal basis for Trump’s Portland order, particularly the authorization of "Full Force, if necessary."
The Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 generally prohibits using federal military forces for domestic law enforcement.
Trump’s announcement followed a request from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, directing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to execute the deployment.
Further details are pending, as the move highlights ongoing debates over protest management and federal authority.