President Donald Trump said Friday that he is considering deploying the National Guard to Portland, Oregon, in response to ongoing unrest outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility along the southwest waterfront.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump described the agitators involved in the demonstrations as “terrorists” and said they would be no match for federal forces.
His remarks followed more than 80 consecutive days of protest activity at the ICE facility on Macadam Avenue, which began June 7 when Antifa-affiliated groups launched an occupation.
“We will be able to stop that very easily. These are paid terrorists… And they are very dangerous for our country,” Trump said.
“And when we go there, if we go to Portland, we’re going to wipe them out. They’re going to be gone. They won’t even stand the fight. They will not stay there. They’ve ruined that city. What they’ve done to that place it’s like living in hell.”
BREAKING: President Trump says he is considering deploying the National Guard to Portland in wake of ongoing riots at the ICE facility:
“These are paid terrorists — If we go to Portland, we’re going to wipe them out…They won’t even stand the fight.” pic.twitter.com/e5yP05Wwdy
— Katie Daviscourt (@KatieDaviscourt) September 5, 2025
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The demonstrations, which operate on a near-constant 24-hour basis, have resulted in repeated violent confrontations between black-clad protesters and federal officers.
The unrest has transformed a four-block area of the residential neighborhood into a prolonged protest zone.
On Monday, demonstrators rolled out a guillotine outside the ICE facility, prompting federal agents to respond with force.
NOW — Antifa militants roll out a guillotine outside the ICE facility in Portland.
A flag has been set on fire. Hundreds of protesters are holding the line, equipped with riot gear and shields. pic.twitter.com/qwPOjWaV2a
— Katie Daviscourt (@KatieDaviscourt) September 2, 2025
Video from The Post Millennial documented protesters using makeshift shields to deflect munitions as federal officers fired smoke and tear gas, filling the air with green, red, and white plumes. Such clashes have become a near-nightly occurrence since the demonstrations began.
Breaking — War-like scenes in Portland as ICE and FPS officers advance on protesters outside the ICE facility to disperse the crowd.
Federal police deployed new tactics tonight, taking rioters by surprise when they appeared out of nowhere at the top, and closed in on the group. pic.twitter.com/FIIkGMjAVv
— Katie Daviscourt (@KatieDaviscourt) September 2, 2025
The U.S. Department of Justice has charged more than 20 individuals connected to the occupation with crimes including assault on federal officers causing bodily injury, depredation of government property, arson, and related offenses.
Breaking – Federal police officers arrested several Antifa militants outside the ICE facility in Portland last night, Aug. 18.
Agitators mobilized to attack the ICE facility, launching projectiles before ICE/FPS officers busted out of the gate and quashed the unlawful assembly. pic.twitter.com/UEjLRSpVZC
— Katie Daviscourt (@KatieDaviscourt) August 19, 2025
The president’s comments reflect a broader push to use federal forces in cities where anti-ICE protests and related demonstrations have escalated.
In June, Trump sent 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles to address similar unrest.
More recently, he has signaled possible deployments to Chicago and Baltimore, citing what he described as “lawless Democrat-run cities.”
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, a Democrat, criticized the possibility of a National Guard deployment, characterizing the protests as “peaceful” and rejecting federal intervention.
“The president’s unlawful actions undermine our local authorities, who should be able to do their jobs without a federal intervention escalating and inflaming the situation,” Kotek told reporters last week, according to The Oregonian.
“I am the commander in chief. We are taking care of our communities. If there is any activity that needs to be taken care of, it will be done by local law enforcement. Right now, all protests have been peaceful and there’s no reason to think that it’ll be otherwise.”
Despite Kotek’s statements, records show Portland Police have not responded to 911 calls from residents near the ICE facility reporting crimes linked to the occupation.
Police officers have not been visibly present at the site since mid-June, and no arrests have occurred in months.
.@PortlandPolice has been accused of “abdication of duty” after records reveal officers failed to respond to 911 calls, haven’t made a single arrest, including for serious acts of violence, outside the Portland ICE facility since mid-June.
The area, which is Portland Police’s… pic.twitter.com/pq2I2Tw5Kh
— Katie Daviscourt (@KatieDaviscourt) September 5, 2025
Portland Police have said their ability to respond is restricted by sanctuary policies, even though the ICE facility and surrounding areas remain within city jurisdiction.
As the protests approach their third month, the standoff between federal authorities and local officials continues, with Trump weighing whether to authorize a National Guard deployment to Portland.
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