President Donald Trump is mobilizing federal resources for deployment in Portland to combat what the White House describes as “Antifa-led hellfire” following months of violent protests outside a federal immigration facility.
The announcement comes after protesters have besieged the ICE field office in south Portland since early June, with dozens arrested on federal charges, including arson and assaulting officers.
The White House statement labeled the protests as “premeditated anarchy” and accused Democratic politicians of denying reality about the situation. Multiple violent incidents have occurred at the facility, including protesters using a stop sign to breach the building and throwing explosives at federal officers.
According to federal prosecutors, 26 people have been charged with federal offenses at the ICE building since June 13. The charges include arson, assaulting federal officers, and resisting arrest.
During the protests, demonstrators have burned an American flag, attacked officers with pepper spray and bricks, and deployed a guillotine outside the facility. Several officers have been injured in the confrontations.
The White House statement also catalogued what it described as years of violence by “Antifa and the Radical Left” in Portland. This included references to the 2020 protests that lasted 100 days, during which buildings were burned and a federal courthouse was attacked.
Other incidents cited include a 2020 shooting death during a riot, attacks on Trump supporters at rallies, and threats that led to the cancellation of a 2017 parade. The statement claimed Antifa-led rioting after Trump’s 2016 election caused over $1 million in damage.
However, many state and local leaders are opposed to the presence of federal troops in the city, saying that it will undermine efforts to revitalize Portland. More than 300 community leaders have signed an open letter citing reasons why the deployment of the National Guard would be detrimental to the city.
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield announced on Sunday that his office has filed a lawsuit to stop the deployment.