Portland is preparing for the arrival of 200 National Guard troops after Donald Trump announced plans to send federal forces into the city. The move, which Oregon leaders insist has “no legal justification,” has sparked a lawsuit from the state, warning that the deployment will escalate tensions and provoke unrest. Trump has described Portland as “war-ravaged,” though local officials strongly dispute his claims and insist protests remain small and manageable.
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Oregon Moves to Block Deployment
The state of Oregon has filed a lawsuit challenging Trump’s order, arguing that the deployment of troops infringes on its sovereign powers. Leaders said the plan would not improve security but instead would inflame tensions. “Far from promoting public safety, Defendants’ provocative and arbitrary actions threaten to undermine public safety by inciting a public outcry,” the lawsuit stated. Officials argue there is “no need or legal justification” for bringing troops into Portland.
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Trump’s Justification Questioned
Trump defended his decision by claiming Portland is “war-ravaged” and that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities are under attack. However, there has been no evidence to support these claims, and protests outside ICE offices have been limited in size. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek said Trump’s assertions were “absolutely not true,” adding: “Some demonstrations happening at one federal facility … are being managed on a regular basis by local law enforcement.”
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Years-Long Obsession with Portland
This latest clash continues Trump’s long-running fixation on Portland, a city he has frequently depicted as chaotic and “like living in hell.” During his first term, Portland became a focal point for rightwing rallies, counterprotests, and violent clashes. It was also one of the hotspots for racial justice demonstrations following the murder of George Floyd in 2020, during which Trump sent federal agents who used tear gas and unmarked vehicles to detain protesters.
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Triggered by Misleading Footage
Earlier this month, Trump suggested he would send troops after watching a TV segment showing footage from Portland’s 2020 protests, wrongly presented as recent events. This misinformation appeared to fuel his renewed push to deploy forces, despite local leaders stressing there was no insurrection or widespread unrest in the city.
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Trump Expands Troop Threats
The Portland deployment follows earlier decisions by Trump to send federal forces to Los Angeles, after immigration protests, and to Washington, D.C., to address crime, despite the city experiencing a 30-year low in violent crime. He has also threatened to send troops to other Democratic-run cities, including Chicago and Memphis, raising alarm about federal overreach in urban areas.
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Governor Pushes Back
Governor Tina Kotek said she directly urged Trump not to deploy troops, telling him: “I don’t understand what information you have.” According to Kotek, Trump claimed a federal courthouse was under attack, which she flatly rejected. “If that is the only issue he’s bringing up, he has been given bad information,” she added. Trump later told NBC: “I spoke to the governor, she was very nice. But I said: ‘Well, wait a minute, am I watching things on television that are different from what’s happening?’”
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Federal Memo Confirms Orders
Despite appearing uncertain in his NBC interview, a Department of Defense memo later confirmed that 200 Oregon National Guard troops would be federalized. They are expected to remain in Portland for up to two months, tasked with protecting federal facilities and ICE officers. Oregon leaders insist the order is unlawful and accuse Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem of overstepping their authority.