Almost half of Americans disapprove of President Donald Trump's deployment of the National Guard to cities across the country, according to a new poll.
Concretely, 49 percent of respondents in a NPR-Ipsos survey said they oppose the deployment of troops in major U.S. cities for law enforcement purposes. 38 percent said they support the move, while 12 percent said they were unsure.
Moreover, 50% of respondents said they oppose federal officials making immigration-related stops with fewer restrictions. The figure contrasts with 35 percent who support the measure and a remaining 13 percent claimed to be unsure.
The latest state to which Trump will deploy National Guard troops is Portland after Trump claimed the move was necessary to protect Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities he described as "under siege."
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the Defense Department was "ready to mobilize U.S. military personnel in support of Department of Homeland Security operations in Portland at the President's direction" while DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin cited riots at ICE facilities, law enforcement assaults, and the recent deadly shooting at an ICE facility in Dallas as justification for the request.
In response, Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden said troops are not welcome in the city. Wyden disputed Trump's characterization, posting a video on X that showed a calm scene outside the Portland ICE facility. "Taken just a few minutes ago outside the ICE facility in Portland that Trump claims is under siege," Wyden wrote. He followed with a direct message: "My message to Donald Trump is this: we don't need you here. Stay the hell out of our city."
Local officials have also challenged Trump's assessment. Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek said there was "no national security threat in Portland" and described communities as "safe and calm" while Portland Mayor Keith Wilson argued there was "no need to send troops," adding that the president "will not find lawlessness or violence here unless he plans to perpetrate it."
Oregon officials also announced legal action on Sunday as State Attorney General Dan Rayfield filed a lawsuit arguing that the deployment of National Guard troops was "provocative and arbitrary" and threatened to undermine public safety. The complaint called the move unlawful and warned it could inflame tensions rather than calm them.
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