President Donald Trump orders troops to Portland

WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - President Donald Trump is sending troops to “war ravaged” Portland, Oregon to protect ICE facilities.

In a Truth Social post made Saturday morning, the president claimed ICE facilities were “under siege” by Antifa, a left-wing movement he recently declared a domestic terrorist organization. He’s authorizing the military to use “full force” if necessary, although he didn’t clarify what that meant.

The White House also didn’t clarify which troops would be sent, or when. Earlier this month, Trump claimed that paid terrorists were wreaking havoc on Portland.

Friday afternoon, residents in Portland began noticing a sudden influx of federal agents. Large convoys of SUVs and masked individuals were seen entering federal buildings and campuses in the city, as well as a nearby ICE facility.

The move prompted an emergency press conference by local and state officials. They called the president’s move an effort to cause chaos and riots in the city, and urged the people to remain calm.

“President Trump has one goal,” said Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley, a Democrat. “He wants to induce a violent exchange. Let us not grant him that wish.”

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek posted on social media that she had not been provided a reason for the deployment. But Friday night, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi posted on X, saying after “a continued onslaught of violence” against ICE officials, the DOJ was sending agents to ICE facilities across the nation.

Earlier this week, a sniper shot at a Dallas ICE facility, killing one detainee and injuring two others. The shooter died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Department of Homeland Security officials believe the shooter intended to target ICE agents.

In response, the Department of Homeland Security increased security at ICE facilities.

Portland has seen a near-constant string of protests at an ICE facility there. Apart from a few instances where tear gas was used and the facility closed, most of those demonstrations have been peaceful.

Bondi disagrees in a video posted to X, mentioning Portland by name, and saying: “These are not peaceful protests. These are coordinated attacks by radical extremists, and they end now.”

Earlier this year, Trump sent the National Guard to Los Angeles in response to protests over federal immigration raids. He also sent the National Guard to Washington D.C. as part of his crackdown on crime.