'Full force, if necessary': Why President Trump is sending troops to Portland, Oregon
President Donald Trump announced plans to deploy federal troops to Portland, Oregon, citing threats to ICE facilities, while the state's governor argues the military isn't needed.
President Donald Trump announced plans to deploy federal troops to Portland, Oregon, citing threats to ICE facilities, while the state's governor argues the military isn't needed.
President Donald Trump announced plans to deploy federal troops to Portland, Oregon, citing threats to ICE facilities, while the state's governor argues the military isn't needed.
President Donald Trump announced he will send federal troops to another American city. This time, it's Portland, Oregon.
In a social media post on Saturday, Trump said, "At the request of Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, I am directing Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to provide all necessary Troops to protect War ravaged Portland, and any of our ICE Facilities under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists."
Trump added he is "authorizing Full Force, if necessary."
Protests around ICE facilities have grabbed the president's attention for weeks. While recent demonstrations have been more muted, some federal agents have been injured, and several protesters have been charged with assault.
That said, Oregon's Democratic Governor Tina Kotek argues the president doesn't have the authority to deploy the military.
"I have been abundantly clear with them that Portland and the state of Oregon believe in the rule of law, and we can manage our own local public safety needs," Kotek said in a news conference on Saturday. “There is no insurrection. There is no threat to national security, and there is no need for military troops in our major city.”
Trump did not specify when troops would arrive in Portland.
Meanwhile, federal agents are expected to arrive in Memphis, Tennessee, this week. The operation has the support of the state's Republican Gov. Bill Lee, though it has prompted protests from locals.
The National Guard deployment continues in Washington, D.C.