U.S. President Donald Trump Orders Military Deployment to Portland Amid Civil Unrest
On Saturday, U.S.
President Donald Trump made a high-profile announcement declaring that he had instructed Secretary of Defense Mark Esper to deploy troops to the city of Portland, Oregon.
The aim was to secure federal property and protect the city from what he described as ‘domestic terrorists’ and radical groups like Antifa.
Trump hinted that he authorized the use of ‘full force’ if deemed necessary.
In social media posts, he urged the Department of Defense to ‘provide all necessary troops to defend Portland and other federal facilities under siege by Antifa and other domestic terrorists.’ In response, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler stated that any deployment of troops was unnecessary and that the city saw no lawlessness or violence, emphasizing that the federal presence was merely a show of force.
Local leaders, including Oregon Senator Ron Wyden, criticized the move, warning that it risked escalating tensions and echoing fears of a repeat of 2020 protests, which erupted after George Floyd’s death and saw federal forces deployed in Portland, fueling more unrest.
Trump has regularly blamed ‘Antifa’ and other left-wing groups for sparking unrest, claiming they set fires and incited chaos, although law enforcement reports that no terrorist incidents related to Antifa have been officially recorded.
His administration’s focus remains on fighting crime and deporting undocumented immigrants, often leading to clashes with Democratic-led cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.
The recent deployment of federal forces in Portland and other cities has sparked controversy, with critics arguing that it undermines local authority and exacerbates social divisions.
As tensions mount, the situation in Portland once again highlights the deep political and social rifts dividing the United States today.