Protests and legal battle erupt over Trump’s planned troop deployment to Portland
Protests and clashes erupted in Portland, Oregon, over President Donald Trump’s plan to deploy federal troops to the city.
(NBC)- Protests and clashes erupted in Portland, Oregon, over President Donald Trump’s plan to deploy federal troops to the city.
Oregon’s Attorney General, joined by the City of Portland, has filed a lawsuit against the administration, arguing the president lacks the authority to federalize the National Guard. Court filings revealed a memo from the Trump administration outlining plans to send 200 Guard members to Portland for 60 days.
“Portland is… it’s anarchy out there,” Trump told NBC News in an exclusive interview, calling the city a “hotbed of insurrection.” Oregon Governor Tina Kotek strongly pushed back, saying, “There is no insurrection, there is no threat to national security, and there is no need for military troops in our major city.”
The deployment plan comes after Trump previously sent troops to Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., and announced a forthcoming deployment to Memphis. The president has also threatened similar actions in other Democratic-run cities.
Some Republicans are urging caution. “I’d prefer not to have troops in our cities… but I do think there is a role if the states will not step up,” said Sen. Rand Paul.
Meanwhile, tensions around immigration enforcement continue to rise. Following last week’s deadly shooting at an ICE field office in Dallas and clashes between anti-ICE protesters and federal officers in Chicago, Attorney General Pam Bondi announced new Justice Department deployments to secure ICE buildings nationwide.
“We’re witnessing a new era of political violence,” Bondi said.
Adding to the tense climate, hundreds of senior military leaders from around the world are gathering this week in Quantico, Virginia, for a rare summit convened by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Trump told NBC News he plans to attend, saying, “Let him be friendly with the generals and admirals from all over the world.”
