Portland braces for a weekend of protests as Gov Newsom says Trump is drafting California National Guard in
The city of Portland is bracing for a wave of protests this weekend over the presence of federal agents in the city, with troops from California reportedly on their way to bolster ranks.
Organizers of a ‘No National Guard in Portland’ rally announced they will be marching on Saturday from the South Waterfront neighborhood to the ICE facility in the Oregon city.
The facility has become the target of unrest in the besieged city, with multiple arrests made this week alone outside of it due to widespread protests after the city became the latest target of Trump’s federal crackdown on crime.
Troops from the California National Guard are also on their way to the city to train soldiers already deployed there, according to Governor Gavin Newsom.
Newsom told the San Francisco Chronicle on Thursday that he may decide to sue over the move once he finds out what the soldiers are being asked to do.
He was told they would be helping with training exercises while adding that he didn’t know an exact number of troops, as he blasted the move as ‘deeply alarming’.
The Democrat added: ‘It’s very questionable that they’re being tasked to do that. Our legal team has already been engaged on this for the last day, if they do it, we’re prepared to litigate.’
He is already in litigation with the Trump administration after they deployed the National Guard on to the streets of Los Angeles over the summer.
The facility has become the target of unrest in the besieged city, with multiple arrests made this week, agents are seen here on Friday evening
Protestors have dogged the site after Trump announced he was sending Troops into the Oregon city
In an update from police in Portland issued in the early hours of Saturday morning, they said cops made two arrests during protests at the facility on Friday night.
A statement said that Thomas Wayne Allen and Cortez Carl Williams, both of Portland, were taken in after engaging in aggressive behavior toward each other.
Both were booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on charges of Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree.
Allen was in possession of a can of chemical spray, which appears to bear spray according to images, and a collapsible metal coil baton, authorities said.
The police added: ‘There were individuals who gathered to confront one another and passionately debate their opposing points of view.
‘The police presence, targeted arrests, and announcements from the Portland Police Bureau Sound Truck were effective in suppressing any physical fights breaking out.’
Conservative influencer Nick Sortor was taken into custody on Thursday night and released shortly after for engaging in a fight.
The 27-year-old was arrested on suspicion of second-degree disorderly conduct along with two people, the Portland Police Bureau said.
Federal agents stand on the roof as people protest outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Portland on Friday
In an update from police in Portland issued in the early hours of Saturday morning, they said cops made two arrests during protests at the facility on Friday night
Sortor was sharing videos of the protestors throughout the week to his X as they clashed with agents.
Over 100 rioters stormed the ICE center on Tuesday injuring several agents, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Six people were arrested on Tuesday which then prompted further protests on Wednesday night.
Wednesday night’s protest was the second day of unrest at the facility after officers were forced to fire pepper balls from the roof in an attempt to dispel crowds which gathered on Tuesday.
Trump announced last month that he was sending troops into the city ‘effective immediately’ to combat ‘domestic terrorists’.
Troops from the California National Guard are also on their way to the city to train soldiers already deployed there, according to Governor Gavin Newsom
Trump announced last month that he was sending troops into the city ‘effective immediately’ to combat ‘domestic terrorists’
The deployment was the latest in the US president’s campaign to improve crime rates, targeting Democrat-led cities including Washington DC and Los Angeles.
In total the administration has authorized 200 members of the Oregon National Guard to be deployed in the city.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth issued a memorandum saying the troops would perform ‘federal functions for 60 days, including protecting federal property’.
The deployment in Portland was made over the objections of state leaders, with Dan Rayfield, the state attorney general, saying he would fire a federal lawsuit over it.
The Mayor of Portland Keith Wilson issued a joint letter alongside over a dozen other Oregon mayors objecting to the presence.
The letter emphasized a commitment to the Constitution and the protection of civil rights, arguing the deployment will only escalate confrontations.
According to the city leaders they will use legal, legislative and administrative powers to stamp out the federal actions.
