President Donald Trump announced on Saturday his plan to deploy troops to Portland, Oregon, citing the need to act against what he termed 'domestic terrorists' amid a backdrop of escalating protests. In his social media post, Trump stated that he was directing the Department of Defense to provide 'all necessary Troops' to protect law enforcement facilities from ongoing attacks which he attributed to left-wing groups.
This announcement comes in the wake of frequent protests targeting the ICE facility in Portland, which have at times erupted into violence. Tensions have amplified since the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, spurring Trump to heighten his focus on confronting the 'radical left' and the rising political violence he links to these groups.
In previous months, Trump had already deployed National Guard and Marines in other cities, including Los Angeles and Washington D.C., as part of his broader strategy to restore order. Local officials in Portland, however, have voiced their discontent with this federal intervention, asserting it is both unwarranted and unnecessary for managing local concerns.
Mayor Keith Wilson released a statement declaring that the city has maintained a balance between preserving freedom of speech while addressing violence and property destruction.
Furthermore, Memphis has also readied itself for a surge of National Guard presence, following Tennessee Governor Bill Lee's announcement of additional resources aimed at combating local crime.
