At President Donald Trump’s directive, Oregon National Guard troops could be deployed to Portland on Oct. 2. However, on Sept. 29, Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield filed a Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order to block Secretary of War Pete Hegseth from sending 200 members of the Oregon National Guard there for 60 days. The lawsuit argues, among other points, that local law enforcement has the situation under control, the ICE protests don’t constitute a rebellion, and the state and city “will suffer irreparable harm” if the guard appears.
Trump announced on Truth Social that he would crack down on “war-ravaged Portland,” where US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities face violent protesters. This set off a firestorm of complaints from leftist leaders, who have responded by showing cherry-picked peaceful-looking photographs, voicing selective storytelling, and defending the 24/7 protests. Their hyperbolic language, such as “abuse of power” and “authoritarian,” could be described as incendiary.
Newly elected Portland Mayor Keith Wilson said, “We have a long and proud track record of being at the forefront of positive social change." Yet, the next day, several hundred protesters gathered outside the ICE facility in Portland again, reportedly shutting down bus service through the area.
History of Violence in Portland
So does this qualify as “positive social change” or negative social resistance? One does not have to go back very far to understand the need for federal assistance to protect law enforcement agents in Portland. On Nov. 10, 2016, a riot broke out during a large protest that opposed Trump’s election, causing damage to local businesses. From May to October 2020, Portland’s downtown district was ravaged by crowds angry about the death of George Floyd, resulting in rampant arson and vandalism. When federal law enforcement was employed to protect federal buildings during that time, the demonstrations grew more intense.



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