Topline
President Donald Trump on Saturday said he directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to deploy military troops to Portland, Oregon, following local protests against immigration officials and Trump’s ordered crackdown on “organized political violence.”
President Donald Trump ordered a crackdown on alleged “organized political violence,” claiming “riots” targeted ICE agents.
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Key Facts
“At the request of [Homeland Security Secretary] Kristi Noem, I am directing [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,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Trump said he has authorized “full force, if necessary.”
Protestors have organized outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Portland for months, as Oregon lawmakers have criticized officials for the alleged mistreatment of detainees, and Portland Mayor Keith Wilson has said the facility was under investigation for possible permit violations.
In a memo issued by the White House on Thursday, Trump ordered a crackdown on alleged “organized political violence” and claimed “riots” across Portland and Los Angeles resulted in a more than 1,000% increase in attacks on ICE officers since January.
Protestors have portrayed “foundational American principals,” including support for law enforcement and border control, as “fascist” to “justify and encourage acts of violent revolution,” according to the memo.
The Department of Homeland Security said Friday at least three protestors in Portland have been arrested in recent months, including one protestor who allegedly shined a “high-powered laser beam” into an ICE officer’s eyes and another who allegedly threw a smoke grenade at federal officers, striking one in the forearm and abdomen— both protestors were charged with assault on a federal officer.
Crucial Quote
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek said in a statement her office had not been given any information on the mission and asked residents in the state to “stay calm and enjoy a beautiful fall day.” She added: “My office is reaching out to the White House and Homeland Security for more information. We have been provided no information on the reason or purpose of any military mission. There is no national security threat in Portland. Our communities are safe and calm.”
Chief Critic
Rep. Maxine Dexter, D-Ore., said Friday after additional federal agents were stationed near Portland’s ICE facility: “Trump wants to tell a story of Portland that does not reflect who we are,” adding, “The Portland we love did not ask for federal agents, and does not want federal agents.”
Has Crime Increased In Portland This Year?
The Portland Police Bureau reported earlier this month the number of aggravated assaults, homicides and sex offensives has declined 4%, 50% and 3% on the year so far, respectively. Through the first half of the year, Portland has also reported a decline in rapes and robberies, according to a violent-crime report by the Major Cities Chiefs Association.
Key Background
Trump earlier this month described living in Portland as “like liking in hell” and suggested he would consider deploying federal troops to the city. He has issued similar threats in recent months to other cities, including Chicago and Baltimore, though Trump said earlier this week, “We’re going to get out there and we’re going to do a pretty big number on those people in Portland,” describing them as “professional agitators and anarchists.” His threat to Portland was opposed by Wilson, who said the city “cannot get brought into the national narrative” and urged city residents to “not take the bait.” Trump has previously deployed the National Guard to Los Angeles following a series of protests against ICE officials and in Washington, D.C., as part of a crackdown on crime, despite violent crime reportedly declining to a 30-year low in the capital. He recently announced the National Guard “and anybody else we need” would be deployed to Memphis, referring to the city as “deeply troubled.” Memphis police reported a six-year low in homicides and a 25-year low in overall crime earlier this month, WREG Memphis reported.
Further Reading
ForbesTrump Says He’s Sending National Guard To MemphisBy Sara DornForbesTrump Administration Designates Antifa As Domestic Terrorist OrganizationBy Antonio Pe