President Donald Trump announced Saturday that he plans to send troops to Portland, “authorizing Full Force, if necessary,” to address what he called “domestic terrorists” as part of his expanding deployments to multiple American cities.
Taking to Truth Social on Saturday, Trump said all necessary troops must be sent to “protect war-ravaged Portland.”
Oregon Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek responded, saying Trump is abusing his authority by ordering troops into a city she described as “just fine” managing on its own. She was joined by other government, police, and business leaders, who said soldiers are unnecessary and that Trump’s portrayal of Portland is misleading.
Trump’s post stated that he directed the Department of Defense to “provide all necessary Troops to protect War ravaged Portland,” citing the need to protect US Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities, which he claimed are “under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists.”
The White House did not immediately respond to requests for further details on the deployment, including timelines or troop specifics.
Governor: Troops Not Needed
At an afternoon news conference, Kotek said she spoke directly with Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem earlier in the day to emphasize that troops are unnecessary, and she questioned the president’s authority to deploy the military.
“We can manage our own local public safety needs. There is no insurrection. There is no threat to national security,” Kotek said.
She added that Trump’s response was vague: “Let’s keep talking.”
“This is an American city. We do not need any intervention,” said Mayor Keith Wilson. “This is not a military target.”
Kotek also noted that no timetable for troop arrival had been provided. She stated the Oregon National Guard is not needed and she has no plans to activate it.
Previously, Trump deployed guard soldiers and active-duty Marines in Los Angeles despite opposition from California Gov. Gavin Newsom. The federal government is appealing a judge’s ruling that Trump’s use of the guard there was illegal.
Kotek urged the public to remain calm. “Let’s not take the bait,” she said. “Let’s not respond to what the president is trying to do.”
Residents Question the Need
On Saturday, downtown Portland appeared calm, with people jogging along the Willamette River, relaxing by fountains, and cycling in sunny fall weather.
“Where’s the emergency?” asked 72-year-old resident Allen Schmertzler, who said he was “disgusted” by the president’s decision.
Another resident, John McNeur, 74, called Trump’s statement “ridiculous,” noting that he was taking “a leisurely stroll” along the river. “This place is not a city that’s out of control,” he said. “It’s just a beautiful place.”
Trump Expands Focus to Chicago and Memphis
Trump had previously threatened to send the National Guard to Chicago but has not done so. A deployment in Memphis, Tennessee, is expected soon, involving roughly 150 troops—far fewer than the numbers sent to the District of Columbia or Los Angeles in previous deployments.
In Memphis, around 80 to 100 people marched to protest the expected arrival of federal forces, holding signs with messages such as “Resources Not Task Forces” and “Memphis don’t need no occupation, Memphis don’t need no government control”—a play on the Pink Floyd song “Another Brick in the Wall.” Speakers called for increased funding for education, crime prevention, youth services, and hospitals instead of federal troops. Oregon officials echoed similar concerns.
Pentagon Provides Few Details
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said updates would be provided as information becomes available. “We stand ready to mobilize US military personnel in support of DHS operations in Portland at the President’s direction,” Parnell said.
Lt. Col. Stephen Bomar of the Oregon National Guard said no official requests have been received for Guard support. “Any requests would need to be coordinated through the Governor’s office,” he added.
Oregon’s congressional delegation, with the exception of GOP Rep. Cliff Bentz, demanded that federal agents and troops stay out of Portland. In a letter to Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Noem, Democratic lawmakers called the action “an abuse of executive authority” that “seeks to incite violence and undermines the constitutional balance of power between the federal government and states.”
Protests and City Recovery
Portland, population 636,000, experienced long-running racial justice protests in 2020 following the killing of George Floyd. The Trump administration had sent hundreds of agents, including from the US Border Patrol, to protect federal property. Recent demonstrations have been less intense and largely focused around the ICE building, outside downtown, which has been boarded up and previously tagged with graffiti.
Some federal agents have been injured, and several protesters have been charged with assault. In early September, a prop guillotine erected by demonstrators was condemned by the Department of Homeland Security as “unhinged behavior.”
Police Chief Bob Day said his department does not participate in immigration enforcement and would only intervene in vandalism or criminal activity near the ICE building. DHS confirmed that detainees are only briefly processed before being sent to other facilities.
Portland is considered a sanctuary city, a term generally used for places limiting cooperation with ICE.
City officials and community groups have highlighted downtown’s recovery since 2020. Pedestrian traffic this summer was reportedly the highest since before the pandemic, and violent crime from January through June fell 17% compared to the same period in 2024, according to the Major Cities Chiefs Association. Homeless encampments downtown have also decreased.
Since the Sept. 10 assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Trump has increased efforts to confront what he calls the “radical left,” whom he blames for political violence. “We’re going to get out there and we’re going to do a pretty big number on those people in Portland,” Trump said, calling them “professional agitators and anarchists.”
