Portland Police Commander Testifies on Federal Troops’ Impact during Protests

A Portland police commander took the stand on Wednesday, stating that the federal troop presence ordered by President Trump intensified tensions during a protest outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office, rather than helping to diminish violence.

Commander Franz Schoening of the Portland Police Department spoke at a federal court hearing which is examining the legality of Trump’s decision to send in the National Guard. City officials have labeled this move as unnecessary and potentially provocative.

Schoening highlighted incidents where federal agents deployed tear gas on what he described as nonviolent protesters, calling their actions “astonishing.” The ICE facility had been a focal point for protests since June.

He indicated that both state and federal laws restrict law enforcement from using methods like tear gas, which federal officers employed. Portland officers themselves were impacted, being hit by tear gas and compelled to withdraw.

Schoening recounted a significant protest on October 18, where federal agents allegedly launched smoke or tear gas munitions that bounced off the facility’s driveway and landed on the roof, endangering staff there. This triggered further shots being fired into the crowd.

“There were no violent acts or actions that would provoke the use of force,” Schoening stated. “It seems it was initiated by a Federal officer deploying that ammunition. Our officer was nearly hit by that federal fire.”

Attorney Caroline Turco, representing Portland, contended that evidence shows the protests were mostly peaceful, thus not warranting National Guard intervention. “This case raises the question of whether we are living in a constitutional nation or one under martial law,” Turco remarked in her opening statement.

On the other hand, the U.S. Department of Justice argued that federal workers faced targeted aggression throughout the summer. Justice Department attorney Eric Hamilton claimed that “the agitators used violence and threatened violence” against police and property.

In court papers, the Trump administration accused Portland officials of being “ineffective and at times hostile” and claimed the police department routinely failed to assist federal agents. “The records show that PPB did not provide assistance when it was requested by federal authorities,” Justice Department attorneys asserted.

Additionally, the administration claimed that these protests required it to deploy Homeland Security personnel from various locations nationwide to Portland.

The Trump administration has maintained that it can deploy the National Guard because, according to them, the president must enforce the law, which they argue could be classified as an “insurrection” or a “risk of insurrection,” both of which provide legal grounds for the National Guard’s deployment.

This non-jury trial is set to continue over three days and will feature testimonies from federal officials. Local police assert they make arrests when necessary while simultaneously honoring First Amendment rights.