President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he is authorizing the deployment of U.S. troops to Portland, Oregon, describing the city as “war ravaged” and stating that troops will be used to protect U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities from what he calls attacks by “Antifa” and other “domestic terrorists.” Trump declared that he would authorize “Full Force, if necessary,” in what appears to be an unprecedented use of military power for domestic law enforcement purposes.
In a social media post early Saturday morning, Trump wrote that he was directing Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth—and notably used the term “Secretary of War”—to send “all necessary Troops” to Portland. He presented the deployment as a response to ongoing conflicts he described as a siege on ICE detention centers, without specifying any legal authority or detailing what military branches would participate.
This announcement comes amid heightened tensions in U.S. cities where federal deployments have been controversial, with Portland often highlighted for clashes involving federal forces and activists. Trump’s directive marks a continued escalation after recent actions, including a deadly attack earlier this month against ICE workers in Dallas and an executive order labeling “Antifa” as a domestic terrorist network—a designation not recognized in U.S. law.
The use of military forces for domestic law enforcement raises questions about the Posse Comitatus Act of the 19th century, which generally prohibits the military from conducting such operations without explicit congressional authorization. Legal experts emphasize that this act reflects a foundational principle intended to limit military authority within U.S. borders.
The White House did not provide additional details on the deployment timeline, the identity of the troops involved, or legal justification when contacted. A spokesperson for the National Guard noted they had no information and deferred inquiries to the White House, which did not respond to requests for comment.
Local response to the announcement has been swift and critical. Portland Mayor Keith Wilson, a Democrat, publicly stated there was no need for federal troops in the city, cautioning against government acts of oppression and asserting that the president would find no lawlessness unless he intends to cause it. Similarly, U.S. Representative Maxine Dexter condemned the move as “an egregious abuse of power and a betrayal of our most basic American values,” pledging resistance through litigation, legislation, and peaceful activism.
On the ground in Portland on Saturday morning, the city appeared calm and peaceful, with residents engaging in ordinary activities such as jogging and biking. Some locals expressed dismay over the president’s claim of an emergency situation warranting military intervention, with one resident calling the decision “disgusting.”
This development situates President Trump in the center of ongoing national debates concerning the limits of executive power, the militarization of domestic law enforcement, and the federal government’s response to protests and activism, especially related to immigration enforcement. As the situation evolves, close attention will be paid to legal challenges and the reactions of state and local officials.