PORTLAND, Ore. (Diya TV) — President Donald Trump said Saturday he ordered Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to deploy U.S. troops to Portland, Oregon, with authority to use “full force” if needed. The announcement shocked Pentagon officials and drew immediate backlash from state leaders.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said troops would “protect war-ravaged Portland” and guard Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities. He claimed the sites were “under siege from Antifa and other domestic terrorists.” Trump added he was “authorizing full force, if necessary,” but did not explain what that meant.
The president has repeatedly criticized Portland. He described the city as plagued by “anarchy” and said, “You go out to Portland, people die out there. Many people have died over the years in Portland. It’s anarchy out there.”
Despite Trump’s declaration, Pentagon officials said they had not received new orders to move troops into Portland. Officials told NBC News they had no details about the size or scope of any mission. It was not clear whether National Guard or active-duty forces would be used.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said in a statement that the department “stands ready to mobilize U.S. military personnel in support of DHS operations in Portland at the President’s direction.” He promised updates if an operation moves forward.
Portland Mayor Keith Wilson said the city did not ask for federal troops. He warned their presence would disrupt commerce and harm the community. “This is disappointing news,” Wilson said Friday. “They are here without precedent or purpose.”
Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., urged residents to avoid confrontation. “We are not going to take the bait,” Merkley said. He encouraged peaceful protest but advised people to keep their distance from federal forces.
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek also pushed back. At a Saturday news conference, she called Trump’s move “inconceivable” and said it did not address real community concerns. “Our city is a far cry from the war-ravaged community that he has posted about on social media,” Kotek said. She added that she told Trump directly that there was no insurrection in Portland.
Kotek questioned whether Trump has the legal authority to deploy troops in Oregon. She said she is coordinating with the state attorney general on a possible response.
The order for Portland follows a violent attack earlier this week in Dallas, where a gunman opened fire at an ICE field office, killing one detainee and wounding two others. Federal officials have been on alert since then.
Trump has long targeted cities run by Democratic mayors. In his first term, he labeled Portland an “anarchist jurisdiction.” Earlier this month, he created a task force to mobilize National Guard troops to Memphis, Tennessee, with support from Republican Gov. Bill Lee.
In August, Trump authorized a surge of National Guard troops and federal law enforcement to Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser credited the move with lowering crime but later said the continued presence of immigration agents and troops was “not working.” Washington has since sued the Trump administration, calling the deployment illegal.
A recent federal court ruling in California also found the administration violated a law that bars using soldiers for civilian law enforcement. That ruling came after Trump mobilized thousands of troops in Los Angeles to suppress protests against ICE raids.
Amid the uncertainty, city officials urged Portland residents to stay calm. Leaders said they expect more federal law enforcement around ICE facilities. Wilson announced plans to sign a joint statement of values with a dozen other regional mayors. “That’s what we need right now, not occupying troops,” he said.
Kotek and Wilson both stressed that Portland is thriving despite Trump’s claims. They highlighted the city’s sports, food, shopping, and cultural scene. “He thinks there are elements here creating an insurrection,” Kotek said. “I told him there is no insurrection here and that we have this under control.”
For now, it remains unclear when or if troops will arrive in Portland. Pentagon officials say they have no timeline for deployment. But the political fight over federal authority and states’ rights is already heating up, with Oregon leaders preparing to challenge the president’s order.
