A video circulating on social media purports to showcase recent clashes between police, military personnel, and protesters in Portland, supporting President Donald Trump’s deployment of troops to the city. However, the footage actually originates from the violent protests following the police killing of unarmed Black man George Floyd in 2020.
A Facebook post from September 28, 2025, claims, “After months of Antifa riots terrorizing Portland neighborhoods, President Trump is sending troops to restore order.” The post describes a chaotic scene filled with smoke and explosions, suggesting that local leaders are neglecting their responsibilities while residents and businesses face threats.
This misleading footage, featuring heavily armed officers in gas masks subduing a person, has also spread on platforms like X and TikTok, along with reports of Trump authorizing troop deployment to the city. The proposed deployment comes amid protests against immigration enforcement, with approximately 200 troops requested to protect US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other government personnel. However, as of October 3, those troops had yet to be dispatched.
In his order dated September 27, Trump cited ongoing issues, claiming, “Antifa militants have laid siege to the ICE field office in south Portland” since June 2025. This narrative has been met with significant pushback, as Portland’s Mayor Keith Wilson described the troop deployment as “unwanted, unneeded and un-American.” The state and local authorities have also filed a lawsuit against Trump, asserting that his actions constitute federal overreach.
Despite mentions of clashes around the ICE facility, the images being shared on social media depict events that unfolded during the racial justice protests of 2020, particularly in July when demonstrations were at their peak.
Using a reverse image search, it was determined that the footage was first shared by conservative influencer Andy Ngo on July 26, 2020. The protests ignited following the May 25 murder of George Floyd, resulting in widespread Black Lives Matter demonstrations across the nation. However, misinformation also proliferated during this period.
In Portland, the protests began with thousands gathering daily, though they quickly transitioned into violent confrontations. In response, Trump ordered federal agents to the city under the Department of Homeland Security’s Protecting American Communities Task Force during his first presidency.
The Portland Police designated multiple events as riots throughout the months of unrest, including situations in August and September 2020, culminating in several fatalities and thousands of arrests among demonstrators.
In stark contrast, the current protests related to ICE and local immigration enforcement do not reflect the same level of violence experienced in 2020. On September 30, 2025, Portland Police Chief Bob Day acknowledged that the situation currently concerns “one city block” and stated that the events have been exaggerated in the national narrative.
He noted awareness of old footage resurfacing from 2020 and 2021 but reiterated that the current circumstances do not warrant such alarm. Local media highlighted that since June 8, Portland Police have made 27 arrests related to the protests at the ICE facility. Additionally, the Portland FBI field office reported 129 arrests on federal charges in the same timeframe.
As misinformation continues to overshadow discussions, it is crucial to separate current events from past occurrences to provide an accurate representation of the situation in Portland.
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