Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he is deploying troops to Portland, Oregon, stating he is “authorizing Full Force, if necessary.” This move has been met with resistance from local officials and Oregon’s congressional delegation, who argue that Trump is misinformed about the situation, which has only seen a small protest outside a federal immigration office.

In his social media statement, Trump referenced antifascists and claimed the deployment was needed to protect immigration enforcement facilities from “domestic terrorists.” Local officials, including Portland’s mayor, Keith Wilson, expressed concern over the “sudden influx” of federal agents, stating they did not request their presence and suggesting the aim was to provoke chaos.

Oregon’s junior senator, Jeff Merkley, accused Trump of intending to incite conflict, while the state’s senior senator, Ron Wyden, dismissed Trump’s characterization of Portland as a “fable.” Videos showed federal agents using force against peaceful protesters, further fueling the officials’ opposition.

Despite claims of mass anarchy, many local leaders argue that daily life has returned to normal after the racial justice protests of 2020. Trump’s administration has been questioned over its motives and the authoritarian implications of deploying troops in Democratic-led cities. Critics assert that the move disregards the local community’s wishes and safety concerns.



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