Donald Trump has ordered the deployment of US troops to “war ravaged” Portland, Oregon, authorising them to use of “full force, if necessary”.
It is the fourth city where the US President has staged crackdown against “domestic terrorists”, without providing evidence after Los Angeles, Washington DC and Memphis.
“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 alleged in a post on his Truth Social platform.
Portland’s mayor, Keith Wilson, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In a press conference on Friday, Wilson said an apparent influx of federal officers did not come at the request of the city, and called it an overreach and a distraction.
“I have not asked for - and do not need - federal intervention,” he said earlier this month.
On Thursday, Trump told reporters that “crazy people” were trying to burn buildings in Portland. “They’re professional agitators and anarchists,” he claimed.
"At the request of Secretary of Homeland Security, @Sec_Noem, I am directing @SecWar, Pete Hegseth, to provide all necessary Troops to protect War ravaged Portland, & any of our ICE Facilities under siege from attack by Antifa, & other domestic terrorists..." - President Trump pic.twitter.com/UEyeCWoqHY
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) September 27, 2025
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Portland has been targeted by protesters, sometimes leading to violent clashes in which some federal agents have been injured.
Trump has made crime a major focus of his administration even as violent crime rates have fallen in many US cities.
His purges on LA and Washington has fuelled legal concerns and protests.
Trump’s Saturday morning post does not specify whether he intends to activate national guard or regular military.
Earlier this week, he also signed an order formally designating antifa as a domestic terrorist organisation.
