Donald Trump authorizes US troops sent to Portland.
Donald Trump Orders Troops to Portland, Oregon
On Saturday, September 27, 2025, US President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that he had authorized the deployment of US troops to Portland, Oregon. The move was to protect Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities in the city, with Trump authorizing the use of "full force" if necessary.
Trump directed US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to deploy troops to Portland to safeguard the city and ICE facilities from attacks by groups like Antifa. The President did not specify whether National Guard troops or the US military would be sent.
The decision came after a shooting incident at an ICE field office in Dallas, where two detainees were injured, and one was killed. The ICE facility in Portland has faced protests since June, leading to occasional violent confrontations.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported that demonstrators had repeatedly attacked an ICE processing center in Portland, resulting in several arrests. The DHS also mentioned that Rose City Antifa, labeled a domestic terrorist organization, had doxed ICE officers and issued death threats to DHS personnel.
Trump described the situation in Portland as "anarchy" during a statement in the Oval Office. He expressed concern over the violence in the city and vowed to address the situation promptly.
Following Trump's announcement, Oregon's Democratic Governor Tina Kotek sought clarification from the White House, stating that there was no national security threat in Portland and that the communities were safe.
Portland Mayor Keith Wilson opposed the deployment of troops, asserting that there was no need for military intervention in Portland or any other American city. However, Republicans, including former Oregon Representative Lori Chavez-DeRemer, supported Trump's decision, citing concerns about lawlessness in Portland.
Trump has previously deployed military troops to Democratic-controlled cities like Los Angeles and Washington DC. Discussions have also taken place regarding potential deployments to Memphis and New Orleans, which are also Democratic strongholds.