Trump orders troops to Portland to confront 'domestic terrorists' at the ICE facility

President Donald Trump said Saturday on Truth Social that he has ordered troops to Portland, Ore., to take over the city and protect immigration facilities from what he described as left-wing “domestic terrorists.” In the post, he directed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to provide all necessary troops to protect “War ravaged Portland, and any of our ICE Facilities under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists,” adding that he is authorizing “full force, if necessary” but offered no additional details.

There was no immediate public briefing on the size or scope of any planned deployment, and the White House did not respond to a Daily Mail request for comment about the command, timing, or logistics of any troops. The Daily Mail also noted there was no independent confirmation of when such forces might arrive, and officials in Portland did not immediately provide comment on the president’s announcement.

Portland has been the site of ongoing protests outside the city’s immigration and customs enforcement facility in South Portland for months. Demonstrations began in June amid anger over federal immigration policies and the large-scale removals they entail. Police described some protests as riotous at times, with clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement, including the use of tear gas and rubber bullets in previous demonstrations. The Oregonian has reported additional protests in July and again in early September at the same facility.

The president’s latest move fits a broader pattern of federal actions in major U.S. cities that began to intensify over the summer. In June, Trump deployed National Guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles amid demonstrations linked to immigration policy. In August, he federalized Washington, D.C.’s local police force and activated the National Guard, arguing that the capital had been overtaken by violent actors and unruly mobs. Trump has also publicly mused about sending troops to other cities, including New York and Chicago.

Portland’s conditions have been a focal point of debate over how to handle urban crime, homelessness, and drug use. The city and state have wrestled with housing and encampment challenges, and Oregon’s attempt to decriminalize possession of certain hard drugs led to a spike in overdose deaths in 2020 through mid-2023 before lawmakers rolled back the policy. The state law, which reduced possession of heroin, fentanyl, and meth to the level of a traffic-ticket offense, was reversed in a measure that took effect on Sept. 1, 2024, after political and community concerns about public health and safety.

The local political landscape in Multnomah County has also shaped responses to crime and protests. Mike Schmidt, who was elected district attorney in May 2020, took office just before the nationwide protests, and pursued a relatively restrained approach to charging rioters. Officials have noted the economic toll of unrest, with thousands of downtown businesses and outlets reporting closures and disinvestment through 2022. While Schmidt’s approach drew criticism from some activists and business leaders, a newer district attorney, Nathan Vasquez, has said he intends to emphasize crime reduction as a path to economic recovery.

The Portland episode comes amid a broader and evolving debate over the role of federal forces in domestic security operations. While some city and state leaders have urged limited federal involvement, others have resisted what they view as federal overreach. The administration’s latest pronouncement places Portland at the center of a national conversation about how to balance public safety with civil liberties, and about the political implications of deploying troops in American cities in the name of law enforcement. As of now, no details have been released about the exact number of personnel, the duration of their stay, or the risks and rules that would govern any such deployment.

The unfolding situation underscores a recurring tension between federal authority and local prerogatives in responding to protests and crime in large urban areas. With Trump signaling a readiness to deploy additional resources if conditions deteriorate, Portlanders and city officials will be watching closely for official clarifications on what the move means for residents, businesses, and civil liberties in the weeks ahead.