In a significant escalation of federal intervention in city protests, President Donald Trump announced on Saturday the deployment of US troops to Portland, Oregon. He declared his intention to authorize the use of “full force” if deemed necessary, stating the move is crucial to protect immigration detention facilities from “domestic terrorists” and what he termed “war-ravaged” conditions.
Trump’s directive, issued via a social media post, designates Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to oversee the deployment and provision of necessary troops. This action marks Portland as the fourth US city where federal troops have been deployed on American soil under the president’s orders, following similar deployments in Los Angeles, Washington D.C., and Memphis.
The mayor of Portland, Keith Wilson, a Democrat, had previously expressed strong opposition to federal intervention, stating earlier in the month that he had not requested and did not need federal assistance. President Trump’s announcement did not specify whether the deployed forces would include the National Guard or regular US military personnel.
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