PORTLAND, Ore. (KPTV) – President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he would be sending troops to Portland, citing the need to protect U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities in the area.
On Sunday, Oregon’s Attorney General Dan Rayfield and Governor Tina Kotek held a news conference in response to Trump’s announcement, stating that the President had invoked Title 10 of the United States Code, which allows for the deployment of federal troops.
In a post on social media, Trump described the directive as necessary to protect what he termed ‘war-ravaged Portland’, a statement that sparked immediate backlash from city and state leaders who argued that the situation in Portland did not warrant such military intervention.
Governor Kotek expressed her dismay, claiming the President was abusing his authority. She insisted that Portland was functioning well on its own without the need for federal troops, stating, ‘There is no insurrection. There is no threat to national security.’
Local leaders, including those in law enforcement and business, echoed her sentiments, arguing that Trump’s portrayal of the city was misleading and that military presence was unnecessary.
After a conversation with Trump, Kotek mentioned that when she sought clarification on his reasoning, his response was simply to continue the dialogue without addressing her concerns.
The Pentagon has stated that further information regarding the deployment would be provided as it becomes available, while a spokesperson for the Oregon National Guard indicated that any support requests would need coordination with the governor’s office.
Protests erupted late Saturday, with a small crowd gathering outside an ICE facility in Portland. Federal law enforcement made one arrest after a short altercation as ICE agents attempted to move a vehicle out of the facility.
As the evening progressed, tensions escalated, leading to additional arrests and confrontations involving both pro-Trump and anti-ICE protesters.
Portland police reported making targeted arrests and noted that they were investigating instances of physical assaults occurring near the ICE facility. The enforcement actions by federal agents included the use of pepper spray on protesters gathered outside the building.
Throughout the day on Sunday, the situation was monitored by the Portland Police Bureau, which had increased police presence in anticipation of demonstrations. They warned that traffic may be affected as various gatherings were scheduled in the area.
Governor Kotek took to social media early in the day, reiterating her stance against the necessity of military intervention in Portland. She stated firmly, ‘There is no insurrection. There is no threat to national security. There is no need or legal justification for military troops in our major city.’
Kotek emphasized that military service members should be utilized for real emergencies and criticized Trump’s decision as a misuse of power.
In a further statement, Kotek expressed her commitment to the Oregon National Guard, underscoring their role as citizens who serve their communities, contrasting their situational use with what she termed an unlawful intervention.
Attorney General Rayfield joined Kotek in voicing concerns over the federal intervention, stating, ‘Oregon communities are stable, and our local officials have been clear: we have the capacity to manage public safety without federal interference.’
He dismissed the deployment of National Guard troops to protect a single building as excessive and a misrepresentation of the situation in Portland, reinforcing that local law enforcement had effectively handled public safety needs.
Rayfield filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court against the Trump administration, arguing that the President lacks legal authority to federalize the National Guard under the given circumstances. He maintained that the situation in Portland does not meet the criteria outlined in 10 U.S.C. §12406 for federalization of the Guard, which is limited to instances of invasion, rebellion, or when federal laws cannot be executed.
The lawsuit contends that the President’s rationale for the Guard’s deployment is based on exaggerated claims about the state of Portland, describing those claims as false and fictional.
Additionally, the lawsuit asserts that the deployment violates the Posse Comitatus Act, which restricts military involvement in civilian law enforcement, and infringes upon states’ rights as granted by the 10th Amendment of the Constitution.
Both the Oregon Attorney General and Governor have emphasized that Portland is capable of maintaining law and order without federal troops, and they are striving to halt what they deem an unlawful order from the President.
That afternoon, Kotek and Rayfield conducted a press conference to elaborate on the ongoing situation, with Kotek prioritizing the safety of Oregonians and the legitimate use of state resources. They referenced that the involvement of the National Guard should align with the local community’s needs and not act as a military presence in neighborhoods.
A collective effort to address the issue across Portland’s leadership was demonstrated, with over 100 local officials and community organizers signing a letter urging the Trump Administration to refrain from sending federal troops, emphasizing the progress achieved by local law enforcement without federal overreach.
The letter noted significant reductions in violence, highlighting a 51% decrease in homicides during the first half of 2025 and a 30% drop in gun violence as evidence of effective local governance.
As the conversation continued around military involvement in urban settings, local leaders reiterated their prioritization of community solutions and safety measures that do not involve federal troops.
The tension culminated in the protests outside the ICE building, which remained focused on opposing federal immigration enforcement, illustrating the deep divisions surrounding the national discourse on law enforcement and community safety.
With additional gatherings planned and uncertainty surrounding federal military actions, the situation in Portland continued to develop, raising critical questions about local autonomy and the role of federal authority in managing public safety.
image source from：kptv
