President Donald Trump announced that he will send troops to Portland, Oregon, to handle what he describes as domestic terrorists, expanding his controversial deployments to additional American cities. He made the announcement on social media, stating that he is directing the Department of Defense to provide all necessary troops to protect the “war-ravaged” city of Portland.

“I am also authorizing full force, if necessary,” Mr. Trump said.

Oregon’s Democratic Governor Tina Kotek responded by saying that President Trump is abusing his authority by ordering troops to Portland, a city she said is managing its public safety concerns on its own. At a news conference on Saturday afternoon, Governor Kotek stated that she had directly told Mr. Trump earlier that day that federal troops are not needed—and expressed her belief that he does not have the 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 defended his decision, saying it was necessary to protect U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities, which he described as being under siege from attacks by Antifa and other domestic terrorists.

Since the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the Republican president has escalated his efforts to confront what he calls the “radical left,” blaming them for the country’s ongoing problems with political violence.

Earlier in September, Mr. Trump described living in Portland as “like living in hell,” and said he was considering sending in federal troops—a threat he has made regarding other cities facing crime issues, including Chicago and Baltimore.

Over the summer, he deployed the National Guard to Los Angeles and has also carried out a law enforcement takeover 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 will be part of a surge of resources aimed at fighting crime in the city.
https://www.breakingnews.ie/world/trump-says-he-will-send-troops-to-portland-to-handle-domestic-terrorists-1811904.html