WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump announced Saturday that he will deploy troops to Portland, Oregon, to address what he describes as domestic terrorists responsible for ongoing protests and clashes surrounding federal facilities in the city.
Through social media platforms, Trump communicated that he has directed the Department of Defense to allocate troops to protect the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities, citing an aggressive surge of violence categorized as an attack by Antifa and other groups.
Portland has experienced a series of protests that often escalate into violent confrontations, leading to injuries among federal agents attempting to manage the situation. The recent protests culminated in significant incidents, including demonstrators erecting a guillotine in a direct challenge to federal authorities, which was condemned by the Department of Homeland Security as unhinged behavior.
In a broader manner, Trump's administration has increased its military and National Guard presence in various U.S. cities over the summer as part of an effort to combat rising political unrest, aiming to curb what the president refers to as the radical left's influence, which he believes is detrimental to public safety.
Despite Trump's assertion of necessary federal intervention, local leaders such as Portland's Mayor Keith Wilson have countered, indicating they have effectively managed the violence and protect constitutional rights without the need for federal forces. Wilson emphasized the importance of safeguarding the principles of free expression and tackling violence in a balanced manner.
As news of possible troop deployment spreads, cities like Memphis are also preparing for their own influx of National Guard resources aimed at crime-fighting strategies in response to the rise in violence.
