President Donald Trump announced Saturday that he has directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to deploy federal troops to Portland, Oregon, to protect federal immigration facilities from “domestic terrorists,” authorizing the use of “full force if necessary.”
“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. I am also authorizing Full Force, if necessary,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
The Independent has contacted the White House and Portland Mayor Keith Wilson for comment.
Trump’s post follows concerns raised Friday night by Wilson about an increased federal presence at the ICE facility, suggesting Trump may be acting on his earlier threats to use federal force against protests in the city.
“I want to be clear about the situation we face. We now have a sudden influx of federal agents in our city,” Wilson said at a news conference, surrounded by city, county, and federal officials, as well as faith leaders. “We did not ask for them to come. They are here without precedent or purpose.”
Wilson continued, “We need federal help. We need federal help to renew our infrastructure, and build affordable housing, to help clean our rivers and plant trees, and imagine the future of high-speed transportation.”
“Instead of help, they’re sending armored vehicles and masked men. If the federal government didn’t come to lend us a hand, then take a hike,” he said. “We have a place at the table for everyone willing to lend a hand, the federal government included. However, we have no tolerance for anyone in Portland who uses this difficult moment to hurt people or damage our home.”
More to come…
