Portland, Oregon, September 28 (HS): President Donald Trump has ordered the deployment of U.S. troops to Portland, Oregon, authorizing the use of full force if necessary to protect immigration detention centers targeted by protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities.

Trump instructed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to provide all required troops to safeguard what he described as war-ravaged Portland from attacks by Antifa and other groups labeled as domestic terrorists.The announcement has drawn strong criticism from Democratic officials, including Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, who stated that there is no national security threat in Portland and called any federal troop deployment an abuse of power.

Portland Mayor Keith Wilson echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that no additional troops are needed in the city.The move marks an escalation of the Trump administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration and expands the controversial use of military and federal forces in U.S. cities, following recent deployments in Los Angeles, Washington D.C., and plans for Memphis.

Legal experts question the president’s authority for such deployments, especially given recent judicial rulings limiting the use of military forces in domestic law enforcement.

Protests at ICE facilities have persisted, with federal charges filed against several demonstrators amid accusations of violence and vandalism. Trump framed his intervention as essential to restoring order and protecting federal properties, despite data indicating a decline in violent crime in Portland.

The situation continues to be met with divided political responses and heightened tensions between federal and local authorities .

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar