Trump Sends Troops to Portland Amid Domestic Terrorism Concerns
President Donald Trump announced plans to deploy U.S. troops to Portland, Oregon, aiming to counter what he termed threats from Antifa and other “domestic terrorists.” This news broke Saturday morning via his Truth Social platform.
“At the request of Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, I am directing Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to provide all necessary troops to protect war-ravaged Portland, and any of our ICE facilities under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists,” he stated.
He further mentioned that he is prepared to authorize full military force if deemed necessary.
Portland, designated as a sanctuary city since 2017, has chosen not to comply with federal immigration enforcement.
Following a deadly shooting at a Dallas ICE facility, Attorney General Pam Bondi urged officials from various federal agencies to be deployed to protect ICE personnel and facilities nationwide. It appears Portland could be among the first cities to implement Bondi’s call, especially after Trump’s temporary military presence in Washington, D.C., to address crime issues there.
In a move sparked by ongoing violence, notably during the BLM riots in 2020, Trump issued an executive order earlier this week designating Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization.
“Antifa is a militarist, anarchist enterprise that explicitly calls for the overthrow of the United States government, law enforcement authorities, and our system of law,” the White House order noted. “It uses illegal means to organize and execute a campaign of violence and terrorism nationwide to accomplish these goals.”
In relation to the recent shooting in Dallas, allegedly carried out by the now-deceased Joshua Jahn, Trump pointed to “domestic terrorism networks,” like Antifa, as fostering harmful rhetoric.
“The continuing violence from Radical Left Terrorists, in the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, must be stopped. ICE officers and other brave members of law enforcement are under grave threat. We have already declared Antifa a terrorist organization, and I will sign an executive order this week to dismantle these Domestic Terrorism Networks,” Trump remarked on Truth Social. “I am calling on all Democrats to stop this rhetoric against ICE and America’s law enforcement, right now!”
In response, Oregon Democrats have criticized Trump’s decision to send federal troops to Portland.
Representative Maxine Dexter (D-Ore.), whose district includes Portland, labeled the move “an egregious abuse of power and a betrayal of our most basic American values.”
“Authoritarians rely on fear to divide us,” she expressed on social media. “Portland will not give them that.”
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek added, “My office is reaching out to the White House and Homeland Security for more information. We have been provided no information on the reason or purpose of any military mission. There is no national security threat in Portland. Our communities are safe and calm. I ask Oregonians to stay calm and enjoy a beautiful fall day. We will have further comments when we have more information.”
