President Donald Trump has directed military forces to employ ‘full force’ against demonstrators in another city within the United States. Trump asserted that the deployment was aimed at countering “domestic terrorists” protesting the conduct and sometimes violent methods of immigration officers in Portland, Oregon. The announcement was made via his Truth Social platform, where he emphasized the necessity to safeguard Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities from attacks by groups like Antifa.
Antifa, a term denoting anti-fascists, has been redefined by the Trump administration as a distinct organization with members and leaders, despite its original broader meaning. Trump has labeled Antifa a ‘domestic terror’ group, sparking concerns that this classification could lead to a harsh crackdown on protests opposing his administration and policies.
Details regarding the timeline and troop composition for Trump’s deployment order were not immediately provided by the White House. Trump had previously threatened to deploy the National Guard to Chicago but did not follow through. It is anticipated that the deployment in Memphis, Tennessee, will involve around 150 troops, significantly fewer than the numbers sent to Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles for similar purposes.
Pentagon officials did not respond promptly to inquiries for further information on the matter. Trump’s recent actions have been intensified following the death of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, as he escalates efforts to confront what he terms the “radical left” responsible for political violence in the country. Trump previously dispatched the National Guard and active-duty Marines to Los Angeles during the summer and as part of law enforcement operations in the nation’s capital.
The ICE facility in Portland has frequently been a focal point for demonstrations, leading to occasional violent confrontations resulting in injuries to federal agents and charges of assault against some protesters. The Department of Homeland Security described the erection of a guillotine by protesters earlier in the month as “unhinged behavior.”
In September, Trump likened living in Portland to “living in hell” and mentioned contemplating sending federal troops to the city to combat crime, a strategy he has also threatened for cities like Chicago and Baltimore.
Portland’s mayor, Keith Wilson, responded to Trump’s threat by stating that federal intervention was neither requested nor required, emphasizing the city’s approach to protecting freedom of expression while addressing isolated incidents of violence and property damage.
Memphis, Tennessee, is preparing for an influx of National Guard troops to aid in combating crime, with Republican Governor Bill Lee coordinating the operation.