President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social that he was deploying federal troops to “war-torn Portland” to protect ICE facilities from “domestic terrorists.” The move marked another step in expanding the presence of federal forces in U.S. cities, part of his broader campaign against illegal immigration.
His statement did not clarify whether the deployment would involve National Guard units, regular military personnel, or other federal agencies. Nor was it clear what the president meant by the phrase “in full force,” leaving officials and residents uncertain about the scale and nature of the operation. At the same time, local leaders and residents insisted online that “Portland is calm and safe.”
Protesters outside the ICE building in Portland at night.
Protests at the ICE Facility and Allegations of Federal Agents Provoking Unrest
Donald Trump’s Truth Social statement about sending troops to Portland to protect an ICE facility from “Antifa and other domestic terrorists” came as a surprise to local and regional officials. According to media reports, protests outside the ICE building in South Portland had been ongoing since early summer. While occasional scuffles broke out, most gatherings involved only a few dozen people. No large-scale violence was recorded, OregonLive noted. A senior Portland police officer testified in court that federal agents themselves had “provoked and inflamed some of the disorder” during the demonstrations.
Oregon’s Governor and Portland’s Mayor Reject the Need for Federal Troops
Hours after Donald Trump’s announcement, Oregon governor Tina Kotek and Portland mayor Keith Wilson declared the city “calm and safe” and said there was no need for additional forces. Kotek personally called the president to voice her opposition and confirmed that the state might take legal action to block the deployment.
“President Trump has ordered ‘all necessary troops’ to Portland, Oregon,” Wilson said in a statement. “The number of necessary troops in Portland—or in any other American city—is zero.”
“Our country carries a long memory of oppression, and the president will not find lawlessness or violence here—unless he intends to create it himself,” the mayor added. “Imagine if the federal government had instead sent hundreds of engineers, teachers, or social workers to Portland, rather than this brief, costly, and fruitless display of force.”
On June 14, 2025, Portland police declared a riot outside the ICE detention center in South Portland after a group of protesters gathered there.
Protest outside the ICE building in Portland. June 14, 2025.
Unclear Which Units Will Be Deployed and on What Legal Basis
It remains unclear which military units will be deployed, on what legal basis, and when they might actually arrive. Reports suggest the Pentagon learned of the decision at the same time as the public, and the White House has yet to provide clarification.
Oregon Lawmakers Call Trump’s Decision an Abuse of Power
Democratic lawmakers in Oregon sharply condemned Donald Trump’s decision to send federal troops to Portland. Governor Tina Kotek said: “There is no national security threat in Portland. Our communities are calm and safe.” She described the potential deployment as an “abuse of power” and confirmed she was consulting with state attorney-general Dan Rayfield on whether a legal response would be required, Oregon Live reported.
Senator Ron Wyden warned that federal authorities might repeat the scenario of 2020, when the presence of security forces only heightened tensions. “I urge Oregonians not to fall for Trump’s attempt to provoke violence,” he said. Senator Jeff Merkley, along with congresswomen Suzanne Bonamici and Maxine Dexter, also argued that the move would lead to “unnecessary chaos,” stressing that the city is calm and residents should not react to the administration’s rhetoric.
Congresswoman Maxine Dexter called the president’s actions “a blatant abuse of power and a betrayal of our core American values.” She added: “We did not ask for federal agents and we do not want their presence. The Portland we love will not be divided by federal forces. Do not take the bait. Stay safe, remain calm, and stand together.”
Federal Charges Against Protesters and ICE Rule Violations
The ICE facility in South Portland has been the site of regular protests since early June, occasionally marked by isolated outbreaks of violence. By September 8, federal charges had been filed against 26 demonstrators, including for arson, assaulting police officers, and resisting arrest.
The Department of Homeland Security claims protesters “repeatedly attacked and laid siege” to the ICE center. Local officials, however, point out that many of those detained posed no real threat.
City officials also reported that ICE has systematically violated the terms of its land-use agreement: the Portland facility is not permitted to hold detainees for more than 12 hours, yet since October 2024 such violations have been recorded 25 times.
Video of Tear Gas Used Against Peaceful Protesters Fuels Criticism of Federal Forces
The Oregonian/OregonLive published video showing federal agents using force and tear gas against peaceful demonstrators. Portland mayor Keith Wilson called the actions of security forces “deeply troubling” and demanded a full investigation. In response Donald Trump once again repeated his warnings about “people out of control and crazy” in Portland.
Earlier the president signed an executive order designating “Antifa” a “major terrorist organization”—a move he had already attempted during his first term.
Support From Trump’s Allies and Doubts About the Legality of the Operation
U.S. labor secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer described Portland as a “crime-ridden warzone” and thanked Donald Trump for protecting ICE facilities. But earlier troop deployments, including the use of the National Guard in Los Angeles, led to clashes and were later ruled unlawful by a federal judge. This has once again cast doubt on the legal basis for the deployment of forces in Oregon.