President Donald Trump has authorized the deployment of federal troops to Portland, Oregon, in response to ongoing left-wing protests targeting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities. The president stated he would use the “Full Force” of federal power if necessary to restore order and protect government property from escalating threats.
In a statement posted on Truth Social, President Trump announced that at the request of Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, he had instructed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to send in all necessary troops. Trump identified the agitators as “Antifa and other domestic terrorists” attempting to overrun ICE buildings and federal agents. He emphasized that protecting American sovereignty and the rule of law requires a firm federal response when local leaders refuse to act.
For months, far-left activists have staged protests outside ICE offices in Portland, frequently clashing with law enforcement and damaging federal property. These demonstrations have included vandalism, barricades, graffiti, and threats against ICE personnel. Previous efforts by local authorities to defuse tensions have failed, prompting increased concern about public safety and the security of federal installations.
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, a Democrat, criticized Trump’s decision, insisting that the city faces no national security threat. Portland Mayor Keith Wilson condemned the move as federal overreach, despite his city’s long-standing record of tolerating anti-law enforcement unrest. Portland has declared itself a sanctuary city and refused cooperation with federal immigration enforcement throughout multiple Republican administrations.
This action by President Trump mirrors previous deployments during the summer of 2024, when federal agents were sent to Los Angeles following similar attacks on ICE property. At that time, Trump defended the move as necessary to uphold law and order in cities where liberal officials had allowed chaos to fester unchecked.
The president’s decision reflects a broader national debate over federal authority in cities that defy immigration law.
