Trump Deploys Troops to Portland, Oregon Amid Protests Against ICE Facilities

President Trump's decision to deploy troops to Portland, Oregon, marks the latest instance of him deploying the military to cities plagued with crime, but experts and local officials dispute his claims of the city being unsafe. Amid the escalating tensions, Oregon Governor and Portland Mayor have urged residents to remain peaceful, while the Pentagon has clarified that a deployment order has not been issued.

Key Takeaways:

• The Pentagon has not issued a deployment order for Portland, but a U.S. official stated that National Guard troops would likely be used.
• Oregon Governor and Portland Mayor have disputed Trump's claims that the city is unsafe, urging residents to remain peaceful.
• The mayor has stated that the necessary troops needed for the city is zero.
• Trump has been making similar threats against various cities, including D.C., California, Chicago, and Memphis, Tennessee, all Democratically-led cities.
• The National Guard is not trained for community policing or to make arrests; their primary role is to patrol federal property and provide security.
• Experts are concerned about the normalization of troops being deployed on U.S. streets, challenging centuries-old laws that limit the military's domestic role.
• The deployment coincides with a ramp-up of federal officers at an ICE facility in Portland, which the mayor has described as a show of force.

Statistics:

• Over 2,000 National Guard troops have been deployed in D.C. for more than a month to crack down on crime.
• In June, Trump federalized California's National Guard against Governor Gavin Newsom's wishes and deployed them along with the Marines to LA to quell protests against ICE deportations.
• Trump has threatened to deploy troops to about a dozen Democratically-led cities, including Chicago and Memphis, Tennessee.

Sources:

• Byline: Kat Lonsford, Host: Ayesha Rascoe, published by NPR
• NPR's Kat Lonsdorf, reported by Ayesha Rascoe, published by NPR