Trump orders deployment of troops to US city of Portland and ICE facilities

In his most recent contentious use of the military for domestic purposes, US President Donald Trump has authorized the deployment of troops to the northwest city of Portland, Oregon, as well as federal immigration facilities all over the country.

The US president stated on Saturday that he would be requesting Pete Hegseth, his defense secretary, carry out the order, adding that the soldiers would be able to use “full force, if necessary.”

Trump argued that the action was necessary to protect “domestic terrorists” from “domestic terrorists” in Portland and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities, but the city’s mayor and other Democratic leaders quickly criticized the move.

A deadly shooting occurred at an ICE facility in Texas just days before Trump’s announcement on Saturday. Trump blamed the “radical left” for the attack, which claimed one detainee was killed, and two others were seriously hurt in it, without providing any evidence.

Outside ICE facilities in cities, including Portland, protests against the US government’s anti-immigration policies have occurred.

In response to protests against immigration raids in Los Angeles in June, it was unclear whether the National Guard will be sent to Portland or another military branch, or both.

In what Trump alleged was a plot to stop crime, the US government has also sent troops to Washington, D.C., the country’s capital.

On Saturday, Portland and state leaders criticized Trump for his actions, calling them against their will. There are ongoing lawsuits in California and Washington, DC over the deployment of troops, and the National Guard can typically only be deployed at a state governor’s request under applicable law.

In Portland and any other American city, there are no shortage of troops needed. Mayor of Portland Keith Wilson stated that the president will not commit lawlessness or violence in this place unless he makes plans to do so.

In addition, US Senator Ron Wyden, a Democrat from Oregon, took note of Trump’s decision to deploy federal forces to Minneapolis in 2020 following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Wyden claimed on X that Trump “may be reviving the playbook from 2020 and heading to Portland with the intention of provoking conflict and violence.”