PORTLAND, Oregon. — President Donald Trump said Saturday he has authorized the deployment of U.S. troops to Portland, Oregon, vowing to use “Full Force, if necessary” to confront what he described as “domestic terrorists” targeting federal facilities.
In a social media post, Trump said he directed the Department of Defense to “provide all necessary Troops to protect war-ravaged Portland,” citing attacks on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) buildings. The White House did not immediately provide details on the scope or timeline of the deployment.
The announcement drew swift criticism from Oregon officials. Portland Mayor Keith Wilson said federal forces were already appearing in the city, noting the arrival of armored vehicles and federal agents. “We did not ask for them to come,” Wilson said. “They are here without clear precedent or purpose.” Gov. Tina Kotek’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) cautioned residents against engaging with federal forces. “Don’t take the bait,” he said Friday. “Their goal is to create an engagement that will lead to conflict.”
The decision to expand deployments comes after the Trump administration previously threatened to send the National Guard into Chicago and announced a smaller deployment to Memphis, Tennessee. Trump has also dispatched troops to Los Angeles, including Marines, in response to immigration-related protests.
Portland, a city of roughly 636,000, has a history of tense confrontations between protesters and federal authorities. During the racial justice protests of 2020, the Trump administration deployed hundreds of agents from agencies including U.S. Border Patrol to protect federal property. Current demonstrations have been more limited, centered near the ICE facility rather than downtown, though officials say some agents and protesters have been injured in recent weeks.
City officials have emphasized progress in Portland since 2020. A recent report by the Major Cities Chiefs Association found that violent crime in Portland declined 17% in the first half of 2025 compared with the same period last year. Downtown has also seen a reduction in homelessness and its busiest summer pedestrian traffic since before the pandemic.
Trump’s announcement comes amid heightened political tensions following the Sept. 10 assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The president has intensified his rhetoric against what he calls the “radical left,” accusing it of fueling political violence. Speaking Thursday in the Oval Office, Trump previewed a coming crackdown: “We’re going to get out there and we’re going to do a pretty big number on those people in Portland,” he said.
