In brief
President Donald Trump has announced plans to send troops to Portland, Oregon, authorizing them to use 'Full Force, if necessary,' in response to escalating protests he attributes to 'domestic terrorists.' This move is part of a broader effort to increase federal intervention in cities facing protests and unrest. Local leaders, like Portland's mayor, have rejected the need for federal troops.
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump announced plans on Saturday to deploy additional troops to Portland, Oregon, declaring intentions for 'Full Force, if necessary' to handle what he described as 'domestic terrorists.' The declaration signifies an escalation in federal troop deployment across several major U.S. cities, intensifying ongoing national debates over the government's response to civil unrest.
In a tweet, Trump instructed the Department of Defense to provide all necessary troops to protect Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities in Portland, which have been targets of frequent protests.
Trump's announcement follows his increased efforts to confront alleged political violence from the 'radical left,' blaming them for unrest across the nation following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Earlier in the summer, troops were also deployed to Los Angeles and Washington D.C., part of Trump's broader law enforcement strategy. Demonstrations surrounding the ICE facility in Portland have resulted in numerous violent clashes and injuries among federal agents, prompting heightened security concerns.
The mayor of Portland, Keith Wilson, responded to the announcement, stating he had not requested federal intervention and emphasized that the city was managing issues of violence and property destruction while respecting freedom of speech.
As unrest continues in American cities, the potential for further federal troop deployments remains uncertain, with Trump indicating he might also consider sending troops to cities like Chicago and Baltimore as part of his crime-fighting strategy.
