PORTLAND, Oregon (AP) – President Donald Trump said he would send troops on Saturday Portland, Oregon As he expands his controversial development into more American cities, he “recognizes full power as needed, as necessary.”
He made an announcement on social media, writing that he instructed the Department of Defense to “provide all the military necessary to protect the war-devastated Portland.” Trump said the decision was necessary to protect U.S. immigration and customs facilities and was “besieged from attacks by Antifa and other domestic terrorists.”
The White House did not immediately respond to requests for details regarding Trump’s announcement, such as the deployment timeline or what forces would be involved.
At a press conference Friday night, US Sen. Jeff Merkley, a Democrat, warned the public that Trump was about to cause confusion. “Don’t take any bait,” he said.
“Our responsibility is to express our views, yes, I protest,” said Merkley. “But it’s best done away from these federal forces, wherever they are, what they’re doing, their goal is to create engagement, and therefore creating engagement that leads to conflict.”
Trump previously threatened to send the National Guard to Chicago, but has not yet been followed. A rollout in Memphis, Tennessee is expected and included soon Only an army of about 150 peopleMuch less than sent to Columbia area For Trump’s crime or crackdown on its inside Los Angeles In response to the protests of immigrants who have become violent over the arrival of the military. Trump also sent the Marines to Los Angeles.
Pentagon officials did not respond immediately to requests for information. Nor were Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek’s office and Democrats.
Portland Mayor Keith Wilson said Friday night that the city had already had a sudden surge in federal agents, describing armored vehicles and agents that arrived on the streets.
“We didn’t ask them to come,” the Democratic mayor said. “They are here without any clear precedent or purpose.”
Portland, with a population of 636,000, was the site of long-term racial justice protests following the 2020 killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police.
Recent protests have been much more subdued and focused on the area around the ice buildings outside downtown, the heart of the 2020 protest. The main entrance and first floor windows are boarded and graffiti is attached.
Some federal agents have been injured and several protesters have been charged with assault. Some protesters also say they were injured. When protesters built the guillotine earlier this month, the Department of Homeland Security described it as “indifference action.”
Meanwhile, city groups and officials have been trying to highlight a recovery in the downtown area since 2020.
This summer has been reportedly busiest with pedestrian traffic even before the coronavirus pandemic, with overall violent crime in Portland from January to June down 17% this year compared to the same period in 2024. Downtown has seen a decline in homeless tent camps that defined years shortly after the pandemic.
Since the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on September 10, Trump has escalated his efforts to stand up to what he calls the “radical left.”
Trump suggested that some kind of operation is ongoing in his oval office on Thursday.
“We’re going to go out there and do quite a few things to the people in Portland,” he said, describing “professional agitators and anarchists.”
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Major was reported from Washington, DC
