President Donald Trump has ordered a military deployment to Portland, Oregon, in response to ongoing protests targeting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities. The announcement came via his Truth Social account on July 15, 2023, where he described the ICE facilities as “under siege” by individuals he labeled as domestic terrorists.
In his post, Trump stated, “At the request of Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, I am directing 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.” He emphasized that he was authorizing “full force, if necessary,” to restore order.
Mayor Keith Wilson of Portland quickly rejected the necessity of federal intervention. In a public statement, he asserted, “Like other mayors across the country, I have not asked for – and do not need – federal intervention.” Wilson highlighted that Portland has effectively managed to balance the protection of free expression while addressing instances of violence and property damage.
Details surrounding the federal troop deployment remain vague, with the White House not disclosing specific information regarding the timeline, number of troops, or operational tactics. Protests against ICE facilities in Portland have grown increasingly intense since June, with daily demonstrations escalating in confrontational nature.
Tensions surged earlier this month when protesters constructed a guillotine near the ICE facility, set fire to American flags, and staged a mock execution of an effigy resembling Trump. The Department of Homeland Security condemned these actions as “unhinged behavior.” Federal agents have retaliated with tear gas and other crowd control measures during clashes that have resulted in injuries to both agents and protesters, leading to multiple assault charges.
In a related development, Pam Bondi, the Attorney General, announced that the Justice Department would deploy agents to ICE facilities nationwide as part of an expanded federal response. Bondi expressed her concerns over the violence directed towards ICE officers, stating, “The Department of Justice will not stand idly by in the face of such lawlessness. The rule of law will prevail.” She confirmed that the Joint Terrorism Task Forces would investigate incidents as “domestic terrorism” and pursue serious charges against those involved.
This deployment represents the latest in a series of federal actions aimed at addressing civil unrest in American cities during Trump’s presidency. Previous military actions included the deployment of National Guard and active-duty Marines to Los Angeles and a law enforcement operation described by Trump in Washington, D.C.. The President has also suggested potential deployments to other cities such as Chicago and Baltimore, although some proposed actions have yet to materialize. A forthcoming deployment to Memphis, Tennessee, is expected to commence soon, involving approximately 150 troops focused on crime reduction.
During remarks from the Oval Office, Trump previewed the military action, stating, “We’re going to get out there and we’re going to do a pretty big number on those people in Portland.” He characterized the demonstrators as “professional agitators and anarchists.” Previously, Trump has referred to living conditions in Portland as “like living in hell” and has consistently threatened military intervention to combat urban crime and civil disturbances.
