President Donald Trump has ordered the deployment of U.S. troops to Portland, Oregon, authorizing the use of “full force” if necessary.
In his announcement, Trump said the move was aimed at protecting the city and federal facilities from what he described as attacks by Antifa and other groups he labeled as domestic terrorists. He directed the Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to provide all necessary support for the operation.
The decision comes as part of a broader crackdown on illegal immigration and unrest in several American cities. Portland’s mayor, Keith Wilson, has openly opposed the deployment, insisting the city did not request or require federal intervention.
The city’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility has been the site of frequent protests, some of which escalated into violent clashes with federal agents. Trump has repeatedly described Portland as being in crisis, earlier calling it “like living in hell.”
While the president did not clarify whether the deployment would involve the National Guard or regular military forces, he signaled that a significant operation was being prepared. He has also recently designated Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization, further intensifying political battles between the White House and Democratic lawmakers in Oregon, who accuse federal agents of targeting individuals without cause.