(AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
President Donald Trump posted his plan on Truth Social to send federal troops to protect “war ravaged” U.S cities and ICE facilities.
Trump wrote on Saturday, “At the request of Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, I am directing Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to provide all necessary Troops to protect War ravaged Portland, and any of our ICE Facilities under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists.”
He added, “I am also authorizing Full Force, if necessary.”
The line about using “full force” had Trump critics questioning exactly what that meant.
Trump’s directive comes on the heels of a shooting at an ICE facility in Dallas, Texas, and other aggressive acts aimed at ICE agents.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller claimed the left was carrying out a “campaign of terrorism.”
He posted to X on Friday, “We are witnessing domestic terrorist sedition against the federal government,” and announced the dispatch of
In addition Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that she has begun deploying DOJ agents to ICE facilities.
She wrote, “At my direction, I am deploying DOJ agents to ICE facilities—and wherever ICE comes under siege—to safeguard federal agents, protect federal property, and immediately arrest all individuals engaged in any federal crime. Pursuant to President Trump’s recent executive action, I am also instructing the Joint Terrorism Task Forces across the country to disrupt and investigate all entities and individuals engaged in acts of domestic terrorism, including the repeated acts of violence and obstruction against federal agents.”
Seattle Mayor Bruce Herrell (D) wrote that he has spoken to Portland Mayor Keith Wilson (D) to offer his support in the wake of Trump’s announcement.
“Trump’s threats against American cities are illegal, authoritarian, and an attempt to silence free speech and intimidate the American people,” he wrote. “We stand united.”