President Donald Trump announced Saturday morning that he will send U.S. troops to Portland, Oregon, in response to ongoing anti-ICE protests—authorizing their use of “full force, if necessary” to safeguard federal immigration facilities.
On social media, Trump said his directive to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth comes at the request of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, citing threats from Antifa and “other domestic terrorists” targeting ICE sites.
Portland’s local leaders pushed back fast. Mayor Keith Wilson said no federal units are needed—“the number of necessary troops is zero.” Meanwhile, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek called the deployment unconstitutional and unnecessary, noting crime in the city has declined.
Attorney General Pam Bondi signaled a crackdown on protest-related violence, labeling the moment a “new era of political violence” and warning participants at ICE facilities will face stiff federal consequences.