WASHINGTON (BN24) — President Donald Trump said Saturday he will deploy troops to Portland, Oregon, authorizing “full force, if necessary” to counter what he described as domestic terrorist threats, as his administration expands federal deployments to more American cities.
Trump made the announcement on social media, saying he directed the Department of Defense to send personnel to “protect war-ravaged Portland” and defend U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities, which he claimed were “under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists.”
The White House provided no immediate details about the type of troops or a timeline for their arrival. The Pentagon also offered few specifics, with spokesman Sean Parnell saying only that the department “stands ready to mobilize U.S. military personnel in support of DHS operations in Portland at the President’s direction.”
Oregon officials rejected the move. Gov. Tina Kotek said there is “no national security threat” in Portland, while Portland Mayor Keith Wilson warned that sending troops would “perpetrate” violence rather than prevent it. Members of Oregon’s Democratic congressional delegation, except Republican Rep. Cliff Bentz, sent a letter condemning Trump’s plan as an “abuse of executive authority” and an effort to “incite violence.”
On the ground Saturday, Portland showed no visible signs of unrest. Residents strolled along the Willamette River and downtown businesses were open. “Where’s the emergency?” asked Allen Schmertzler, 72, who called Trump’s decision “disgusting.” Another resident, John McNeur, described the city as “a beautiful place” and said Trump’s warning of lawlessness was “ridiculous.”
The city, home to 636,000 people, was the scene of extended racial justice protests in 2020, which sometimes turned violent. Federal agents were sent in then to protect the courthouse and ICE facilities. Recent demonstrations, however, have been smaller and largely confined to the ICE building, where boarded windows and graffiti reflect lingering tensions.
Trump also pointed to Chicago and Memphis as cities where deployments are under consideration. In Memphis, about 80 to 100 protesters gathered in front of City Hall to denounce the expected arrival of federal forces, carrying signs that read “Resources Not Task Forces” and chanting against what they called a federal “occupation.”
Portland officials, meanwhile, have tried to highlight progress since 2020. Violent crime in the city dropped 17% in the first half of 2025 compared with the previous year, according to the Major Cities Chiefs Association, and downtown has seen its busiest summer for pedestrians since before the pandemic. Homeless encampments have also declined, and businesses report steadier recovery.
Trump’s move comes amid his heightened rhetoric against what he calls the “radical left,” which he blames for unrest and political violence. Following the Sept. 10 assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Trump has escalated calls for federal crackdowns.
“We’re going to get out there and we’re going to do a pretty big number on those people in Portland,” Trump said Thursday, referring to protesters as “professional agitators and anarchists.”
