President Trump Orders Troop Deployment to Portland to Guard ICE Sites
President Donald Trump has instructed the U.S. military to deploy troops to Portland, Oregon, specifically to protect Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities he says are under threat from “domestic terrorists,” including Antifa. Trump’s directive authorizes using “full force, if necessary” and tasks Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to provide the troops required for the mission.
The Pentagon has not yet clarified whether the deployment will involve active-duty military, National Guard elements, or a hybrid force. A spokesperson for the Department of Defense confirmed readiness to support the Department of Homeland Security as assigned.
Portland’s mayor, Keith Wilson, responded swiftly, saying “the number of necessary troops is zero” and accusing Trump of seeking confrontation. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek echoed that the state did not request the deployment and insisted there was no national security threat in Portland.
Protests surrounding the ICE facility at Portland’s waterfront have been ongoing. In recent days, increased federal presence—armored vehicles and tactical personnel—has drawn heightened local concern. Officials had urged calm while managing clashes between protesters and federal agents.
Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that federal agents would be dispatched to ICE facilities across the country, and that Joint Terrorism Task Forces would target those obstructing or attacking federal personnel. The DOJ framed the action as a necessary response to threats against federal property and officers, citing incidents of assaults, vandalism, and organized attempts to disrupt ICE operations.
The administration has emphasized Antifa’s role in fueling unrest and moved to treat it as a domestic terrorist movement. Supporters of the deployment argue federal personnel have been placed in unacceptable danger by coordinated campaigns targeting them for political reasons.
President Trump has now taken federal action in multiple cities where Democratic leaders have resisted intervention, citing the need to protect federal property and personnel. In Portland, those tensions are oncemore palpable: local leaders claim they can manage on their own, while the White House maintains that a stronger federal posture is necessary to deter escalating violence.
Key details are still to be determined, including the number of troops to be deployed, the rules governing their engagement, and how federal and local authorities will coordinate. The Pentagon has underscored that U.S. forces operating domestically may use force in self-defense, but further operational specifics have not been released.
As of Saturday evening, the administration insisted the deployment is essential to safeguard ICE facilities and ensure agents can continue their work without disruption. Portland officials, however, remain opposed, setting the stage for another clash between federal authority and local resistance.
Michael J. Hout is Editor-in-Chief of Liberty Affair. Based in Warsaw, Poland, he writes about politics, culture, and history. Follow his latest insights on X: @michaeljhout.
