President Donald Trump announced plans to send troops to Portland, Oregon, to address what he described as threats from domestic terrorists. This move expands his controversial deployment of federal forces to additional American cities.
Making the announcement on social media, President Trump stated that he was directing the Department of Defense to provide all necessary troops to protect “war-ravaged Portland.” He added, “I am also authorizing Full Force, if necessary.”
Oregon’s Democratic Governor Tina Kotek opposed the decision, calling it an abuse of authority. At a news conference on Saturday afternoon, she said that Portland is managing well on its own and federal troops are not needed. Governor Kotek also expressed her belief that President Trump does not have the legal authority to deploy the military there.
“We can manage our own local public safety needs. There is no insurrection. There is no threat to national security,” Ms. Kotek told reporters.
President Trump justified his decision by citing the need to protect US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities, which he claimed were under siege by Antifa and other domestic terrorist groups.
Since the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, President Trump has intensified efforts to confront what he calls the “radical left,” blaming them for the country’s problems with political violence.
Earlier in September, Mr. Trump described living in Portland as being “like living in hell” and said he was considering sending federal troops, similar to his threats in other cities such as Chicago and Baltimore.
Over the summer, he deployed the National Guard to Los Angeles and took over law enforcement operations in the District of Columbia. In Tennessee, Memphis has been preparing for an influx of National Guard troops. On Friday, Governor Bill Lee announced that these forces would be part of a surge of resources aimed at combating crime in the city.
https://www.breakingnews.ie/world/trump-says-he-will-send-troops-to-portland-to-handle-domestic-terrorists-1811904.html