Trump Slams Oregon Officials For Ignoring Violence Against Federal Officers
Thursday, October 2, 2025, 11:00 A.M. ET. 3 Minute Read, By Jennifer Hodges: Englebrook Independent News,
PORTLAND, OR.- President Donald J. Trump announced on Wednesday that National Guard troops are in place in Portland, Oregon, to protect Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) facilities and agents following a surge of violent Antifa-led riots against federal agents.
The President accused Antifa militants of orchestrating assaults on federal officers, setting fires, and attempting to blockade Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel inside their facilities.
“We will not tolerate these radical left anarchists terrorizing our officers and destroying our cities,” Trump declared during a White House briefing. “The National Guard is in place, and law and order will be enforced.”
Federal officials reported multiple Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents injured during recent confrontations as rioters hurled projectiles, launched fireworks at buildings, and vandalized government property. Law enforcement sources described the violence as “targeted attacks on federal officers” rather than spontaneous protests.
Oregon Officials Claim There Is No Problem
Despite the escalating chaos, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek and Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler have pushed back against Trump’s announcement, insisting the situation is under control.
“There is no problem here that requires federal troops,” Wheeler said in a statement, dismissing the President’s warnings as “political theater.”
Critics argue that this dismissive stance has allowed Antifa-aligned groups to entrench themselves in Portland, where violent unrest has become a recurring crisis over the past several years.
“Local leadership has failed, plain and simple,” a senior Department of Homeland Security official told reporters. “Their refusal to acknowledge reality puts both federal officers and Portland residents at greater risk.”
Supporters of the President say his actions were long overdue, given Portland’s reputation as a safe haven for extremist activity.
“These are not peaceful protests; this is organized violence,” said one I.C.E. union representative. “Our officers have been under siege for days, and the city pretends nothing is happening.”
Civil liberties activists, meanwhile, condemned the Guard’s presence, claiming it would escalate tensions. But federal agencies counter that without intervention, Portland’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement offices and officers would remain vulnerable to sustained Antifa attacks.
As of Thursday night, Guard units had been staged around federal property but had not yet engaged rioters directly. Officials confirmed the Guard remains on high alert should local law enforcement prove unable or unwilling to stop further violence.
A City With A Troubled History of Unrest;
Portland has long been a focal point for Antifa demonstrations and violent confrontations. During the 2020–2021 unrest, rioters repeatedly attacked the federal courthouse, I.C.E. offices, and even police precincts, causing millions of dollars in damage and drawing national attention. Federal officers were routinely assaulted with fireworks, Molotov cocktails, and makeshift weapons.
Despite this history, city leaders frequently resisted federal support, often framing unrest as “mostly peaceful” even as violence escalated.
For many observers, the latest riots are not an isolated episode but part of a continuing pattern of lawlessness enabled by weak local leadership. The Trump administration has made clear that, this time, the Guard will remain on alert until order is restored.
Editor’s Note: This article is based on statements from President Donald Trump at a White House press briefing, federal law enforcement reports, and responses from Oregon Governor Tina Kotek and Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler. Historical context encompasses public records and media coverage of the 2020–2021 unrest in Portland. Further updates will follow as the Guard deployment continues.
