Trump administration 2024-2028

[PrairieFella]

No, but revenge is a dish best served cold... or so I've heard:

Why Donald Trump is obsessed with Portland​

Portland is the latest American city where Trump said he’ll send the military. But his fixation on Oregon is different.


Five years ago, rioters in Portland set fire to government buildings, epitomizing for many on the right the lawlessness and chaos that swirled around the George Floyd protests.

President Donald Trump never forgot.

On Saturday, the president announced that he directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to send U.S. troops to “War ravaged Portland” to protect “ICE facilities under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists.” He also gave the extraordinary addendum that he was greenlighting the use of “Full Force, if necessary” in an American city.

The president, his aides and allies have been increasingly focused on Portland over the last several weeks, repeatedly referring to the city in apocalyptic terms that call back to the summer of 2020, when protesters gathered against police violence for more than 170 days.

Many demonstrations that summer were peaceful, but some people looted shops, tore down statues and clashed with police. Trump deployed more than 750 Department of Homeland Security officials into the city to quell riots without the approval of state and local officials.

On Thursday, in the Oval Office, Trump pointed to Portland for at least the third time in recent weeks as an example of a city in despair.

“Take a look at Portland some time,” Trump said. “These are crazy people, and they’re trying to burn down buildings.”

The president’s fixation with Portland — which has a far lower homicide rate than places like Memphis, Washington and Chicago, where Trump has already deployed federal troops or threatened to do so — has as much to do with what the city represents as the protests against ICE currently taking place. The White House views Portland as a useful example in its law-and-order campaign — a city Trump officials can elevate to push forward their message on everything from immigration to crime to far-left violence.

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/09/27/donald-trump-portland-military-protest-00583423

Imagine the rancour if Biden had threatened "full force" from the military in a domestic capacity. If this isn't a line in the sand for supposedly decent Republicans, they aren't decent. This is five alarm fire territory.

 

[quadrapiper]

So where between "let the rioters riot" and "call out the army" is the preferred position?

Seems like if the bulk* of residents and their elected local and state governments don't care, and there's no unique federal interest (i.e., not in the capital, nor at, say, a border crossing) shrug and move on to any one of the infinity of problems where someone is asking for federal involvement. If there's federal buildings, secure them, sure, but otherwise if the locals fancy being French for a while, leave them to it.

Triply so in a country that's fifty sovereign duchies in a sack.

* You'll always find someone irritated by any conceivable civic choice, factoid, circumstance, faction, etc., whether current or twenty years settled.

 

[Lumber]

There's nothing to worry about Mills Bomb. It's perfectly normal presidential stuff to call in the military after Portlands mayor ordered police NOT to arrest protestors, including illegal aliens, for breaking the law because arresting illegal aliens could violate the cities sanctuary city status.

Got any reference for this? I'm searching and can't find it.
Also, do you actually know what being a sanctuary city/state means? It doesn't mean they don't arrest illegal immigrants. If they break local or state laws, they will still be arrested, it's only that they won't support the feds in immigration enforcement, which is already something they aren't allowed to do on their own volition.

 

[Rifleman62]

Portlands mayor ordered police NOT to arrest protestors, including illegal aliens, for breaking the law because arresting illegal aliens could violate the cities sanctuary city status.

Portland mayor defends handling of violent protest

City hall denies claims that it placed political "handcuffs" on officers as "false narratives".

www.bbc.com

Portland places new restrictions on federally deputized police officers

Portland’s City Council unanimously voted to place new limits on the federally deputized city police Wednesday, barring officers from taking orders from federal law enforcement or making arrests under federal law.

www.opb.org

https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/28/us/portland-ice-antifa-trump-wwk

Wilson: Police not helping ICE and Portland doesn't need National Guard - The Portland Tribune

Portland Mayor Keith Wilson defended the Portland Police Bueau’s handling of protesters at the U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement building in South Portland and said the city does not need help from the National Guard following overnight clashes there. Police responded to a tense situation...

portlandtribune.com

 

[Brad Sallows]

Seems like if the bulk* of residents and their elected local and state governments don't care

If I lived on one of a handful of affected blocks, I wouldn't care very much what the laissez-faire opinion of the rest of the city, state, or country was. I'd want laws enforced and order restored.

 

[Jarnhamar]

Got any reference for this? I'm searching and can't find it.

Sadly no, you got me.

Also, do you actually know what being a sanctuary city/state means? It doesn't mean they don't arrest illegal immigrants. If they break local or state laws, they will still be arrested, it's only that they won't support the feds in immigration enforcement, which is already something they aren't allowed to do on their own volition.

Local governments are not universally prohibited from aiding immigration enforcement, they simply are not compelled to do so.

 

[HavokFour]

This is turning into quite the dog and pony show.

Trump to attend gathering of top generals, upending last-minute plans​

 

[brihard]

This is turning into quite the dog and pony show.

Trump to attend gathering of top generals, upending last-minute plans​

Oh course he is.

 

[RangerRay]

Portland mayor defends handling of violent protest

City hall denies claims that it placed political "handcuffs" on officers as "false narratives".

www.bbc.com

Portland places new restrictions on federally deputized police officers

Portland’s City Council unanimously voted to place new limits on the federally deputized city police Wednesday, barring officers from taking orders from federal law enforcement or making arrests under federal law.

www.opb.org

https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/28/us/portland-ice-antifa-trump-wwk

Wilson: Police not helping ICE and Portland doesn't need National Guard - The Portland Tribune

Portland Mayor Keith Wilson defended the Portland Police Bueau’s handling of protesters at the U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement building in South Portland and said the city does not need help from the National Guard following overnight clashes there. Police responded to a tense situation...

portlandtribune.com

Two stories from 5 and 6 years ago, and neither indicated that the violence was beyond the abilities of local law enforcement to put down.

 

[The Bread Guy]

Oh course he is.

Can’t kiss the ring if it’s not there, right?

 

[Mills Bomb]

Trump seems to back off Portland military plan: 'Am I watching things on television that are different from what's happening?'

President Trump had said he will send troops to Portland to protect U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities, which he said were "under attack."

www.kgw.com

So it appears Trump may be getting his intel from the same place as our MAGA regulars: FOX news!

It appears that after speaking with Oregan Gov. Tina Kotek, he's now backing off the plan.

From the article:

"I spoke to the governor, she was very nice," Trump said. "But I said, 'Well wait a minute, am I watching things on television that are different from what's happening? My people tell me different.' They are literally attacking and there are fires all over the place...it looks like terrible."

This explains so much... I mean, I guess not that surprising considering he literally stacked his administration with FOX news talking heads.

 

[Colin Parkinson]

Portland has long been the poster child for urban disarray. East Oregon wants to separate from West Oregon. Greater Idaho movement - Wikipedia

 

[RangerRay]

Trump seems to back off Portland military plan: 'Am I watching things on television that are different from what's happening?'

President Trump had said he will send troops to Portland to protect U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities, which he said were "under attack."

www.kgw.com

So it appears Trump may be getting his intel from the same place as our MAGA regulars: FOX news!

It appears that after speaking with Oregan Gov. Tina Kotek, he's now backing off the plan.

From the article:

"I spoke to the governor, she was very nice," Trump said. "But I said, 'Well wait a minute, am I watching things on television that are different from what's happening? My people tell me different.' They are literally attacking and there are fires all over the place...it looks like terrible."

This explains so much... I mean, I guess not that surprising considering he literally stacked his administration with FOX news talking heads.

They were probably playing B-Roll from 2020 and he probably thought it was about something happening today.

 

[The Bread Guy]

Just some grist for the "US feds helping police cities" discussion mill ....

Learning how to use AI better, so asked this question to 4 different systems: "Produce a table listing the top 10 cities in the U.S. for rates of violent crime, including the rates of violent crime, the party affiliations of the mayors and state governors, and add Washington, D.C., Portland OR, Los Angeles CA and (only if it's not already included) Memphis TN with their ranking and similar information." Attached are the four lists I got from 4 different systems.

Here's a quick synopsis (ones in red are places where NG troops were sent by POTUS):

Caveat using AI: like search engines, the same question will lead to (sometimes slightly, sometimes staggeringly) different answers from each system, so YMMV depending on which you use.

My biggest "didn't know that" from this is that in Albuquerque, one of the top 10 in at least 2 culls, the Governor has sent NG troops to staff back-office and behind-the-scenes support to free up more cops to hit the street - a different approach than the federally-pushed troops. More on the NM approach here:

New Mexico's Democratic governor explains how state used National Guard to combat crime

President Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., drew sharp criticism from Democrats who called it government overreach. But in New Mexico, a Democratic governor who deployed the National Guard to assist police has seen violent crime fall in the state’s largest city of...

www.pbs.org

National Guard troops deployed to crime-plagued Albuquerque are unarmed and not in military uniforms

Unlike the California National Guard troops that were deployed by President Trump to Los Angeles, the Guard members deployed in Albuquerque are not armed or in military uniform.

www.cbsnews.com

New Mexico National Guard starts assisting Albuquerque Police

On June 5, the New Mexico National Guard began assisting the Albuquerque Police Department with administrative tasks, according to a statement from APD Director of Communications, Gilbert Gallegos. In a statement to the Daily Lobo, Gallegos said the National Guard is helping with “non-law...

www.dailylobo.com

New Mexico National Guard Partnership

The Albuquerque Police Department is currently in a successful partnership with the New Mexico National Guard, marking a significant step forward in community safety and operational support. This collaboration focuses on non-law enforcement duties to assist APD officers in critical incidents...

www.cabq.gov

Same thing happening elsewhere in NM:

Governor sending New Mexico National Guard to Española to aid in law enforcement

The governor's emergency deployment of Guard members to aid police represents the second such deployment this year.

www.santafenewmexican.com

Even here, though, critics gonna criticize ....

ACLU on National Guard in NM: ‘Political Theater Won’t Make Us Safer’

The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico is speaking out against the use of military forces for civilian law enforcement, criticizing both

abq.news

Española police chief addresses unease over National Guard deployment - New Mexico Political Report

New Mexico National Guard troops could soon be deployed to Española and Rio Arriba County to address a surge in crime and public safety concerns. Española Police Chief Mizel Garcia told members of the Courts, Corrections, and Justice Committee of the New Mexico Legislature that his department...

nmpoliticalreport.com

Carry on discussing

 

[RangerRay]

They were probably playing B-Roll from 2020 and he probably thought it was about something happening today.

Sounds like that’s exactly what happened. Fox News rolling clips of today’s modest protests spliced with footage of riots from 5 years ago.

Modest protest outside Portland ICE facility at odds with Trump’s claims of chaos

In response to a demonstration known more for its stamina than its size, the White House has now promised to deploy the National Guard to Portland

www.theglobeandmail.com

For months before the mobilization of U.S. federal troops to Portland, Ore., protesters gathered around the building used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. They scrawled messages in chalk. They chanted slogans. Once, they rolled up a fake guillotine.
Their protest, which has continued for more than 100 days, was notable for its stamina, but not for its size. Their boisterous presence could not hide the fact that their numbers were small – a few dozen at most on all but a handful of nights.
But this modest protest in Portland became a stage for conservatives in the United States, who broadcast reports from the scene, sometimes spliced together with archival footage from violent demonstrations in years past, to suggest a level of anarchy that did not exist.
In response, the White House has now promised to deploy the National Guard to Portland. Troops could be on the streets by Thursday, although Oregon’s Attorney-General has filed a federal motion to block their arrival.
But people in Portland “are literally attacking and there are fires all over the place,” President Donald Trump said this weekend, in justifying his action. He described Portland as a “war-ravaged” place.

Still, the U.S. President also admitted to a moment of doubt in an interview with NBC Sunday: “Am I watching things on television that are different from what’s happening?”
In at least one case, it appears he had.

Those protesting acknowledge some strikes on the ICE building. Once, fireworks were lobbed over the building’s wall. At least one protester threw a Milk-Bone onto federal property, amid taunts calling ICE agents dogs. Graffiti is evident. In June, some protesters shattered a glass door. Police have made arrests for assault, arson and other charges.
Most of the time, though, the protesters stand, chat and yell – a demonstration that local authorities say is no major cause for concern.

https://archive.ph/cwigC

Quick! Somebody call the Militia! The police can’t handle this anarchy!