Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in our sister publication, Portland Mercury. We will be posting dispatches from Portland as they become available.
It’s been a whirlwind few days since Portlanders found out about President Trump’s plan to send the National Guard into the city, with a lot of unknowns about what’s happening and when. Much of the information about the impending invasion of Portland has been delivered by local elected leaders, not through official White House communication.
On Tuesday morning, the White House published a press release boasting about Trump’s decision to deploy federal resources to “crush violent radical left terrorism in Portland.” The White House article is light on details about what Portlanders can actually expect to happen on the ground over the coming days. But it does contain more information about Trump’s apparent rationale for sending troops into Portland, as well as a plethora of hyperlinks to far-right media organizations in an attempt to bolster the argument that the “Radical Left” has a “reign of terror” over the city.
“It’s obvious what’s happening in Portland isn’t protest; it’s premeditated anarchy that has scarred the city for years — leaving officers battered, citizens terrorized, and property defaced,” the press release states.
Trump’s decision to narrow in on Portland and its supposed “Antifa-led hellfire” comes amid a national fixation on left-wing organizations and activists. Last week, the president signed an executive order designating antifa as a domestic terrorist organization. The order appears to be partially inspired by Charlie Kirk’s murder earlier this month, which Trump and other Republican politicians have cited, without evidence, as an example of growing political violence on the left.
The recent White House press release elaborates on alleged incidents of “violence in Portland at the hands of Antifa and the Radical Left.” It cites 13 examples over the last nine years, starting right after Trump’s win in the 2016 election. The incidents cited range from murder to minor property damage, some with more veracity than others, all attributed to the anti-fascist movement.
While groups with the antifa moniker have existed, in Portland and elsewhere, Trump uses the term broadly, applying it to a large swath of left-wing groups and individuals. Antifa is a decentralized movement of antifascist activists, many of whom hold different beliefs and theories of political change. The incidents listed in the White House press release occurred over an extended period of time and don’t carry a clear organizational throughline.
When it comes to anti-ICE action in Portland, local progressive groups have been split. There has been a major divide between those who have called for Portland City Council to immediately revoke ICE’s permit to operate in Portland’s South Waterfront and others who have pointed out the challenges in that process.
Tuesday’s White House press release focuses solely on the “radical left” without mentioning incidents of right-wing extremism in Portland and elsewhere. In 2017, two people were killed and one was seriously injured while defending two young women from white supremacist stabber Jeremy Christian on a MAX train. The 2022 shooting at Normandale Park left two people dead at the hands of a right-wing assailant. And, while the federal government has accused protesters of assaulting Department of Homeland Security officers at recent demonstrations in Portland, some federal agents have used violent force on people protesting peacefully.
In his push to send National Guard troops into Portland, Trump has routinely spouted false information and used inflammatory language to describe protesters. Among those critical of Trump’s portrayal of Portland is Portland Police Chief Bob Day, who recently emphasized to reporters that the protests at the ICE facility are isolated to one city block within 145 square miles in the city of Portland.
“Even the events that are happening down there do not rise to the level of attention that they are receiving,” Day said. “We’ve seen Portland portrayed through the events of the lens of 2020, and 2021, and what we’re seeing both from Portlanders and from the Portland Police Bureau is not in line with that national narrative.”
While the Oregon National Guard has begun mobilizing troops in compliance with Trump’s order, it’s unclear if and when Portlanders will see members of the guard on the streets. It was initially reported that troops were expected to hit the streets Thursday, but a more recent update from an Oregon National Guard spokesperson suggests most guard members won’t be ready until next week.
Meanwhile, a lawsuit filed by Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield on Sunday seeks to block the deployment. A judge is set to hear from the state and the US Department of Justice at 10 am Friday, when he is expected to determine whether to grant Oregon a temporary restraining order to block the National Guard from deploying to Portland.
As Trump and Homeland Security leaders continue to portray Portland as a lawless city, local leaders are focused on preventing federal intervention. At a Monday press conference, Portland Mayor Keith Wilson said he and other elected officials believe their primary job at the moment is to “ensure [the deployment] doesn’t occur.” Wilson, Governor Tina Kotek, and other elected officials have been steadfast in their opposition to the decision to send troops to Portland.
More than 15 other Oregon mayors have spoken out in support of Wilson and the city of Portland, and committed to keeping their local law enforcement agencies firmly in the hands of local jurisdictions. A dozen Oregon mayors, several of which are military veterans or have some affiliation with the Oregon National Guard, joined Wilson at Monday’s press conference condemning the deployment.
“I’m not sure there’s been a joint statement quite like this in Oregon, but I’m very glad, and I’m hopeful for the shared purpose,” Wilson said at the press conference. “Our joint statement is a statement of shared values. It asks for clarity and a return to precedent in the role of our armed forces and our federal law enforcement.”
Wilson said the Trump administration’s justification for deploying troops in Portland is “either a misunderstanding or a lie.”
“I hope it is a misunderstanding that we can soon resolve,” he said. “In my moments of doubt, I worry that Portland will go it alone, as we have in the past. When I look around the room today, I know we are more together than we have ever been. By joining together, we can accomplish far more and protect our communities far better than we ever could alone.”
““It’s obvious what’s happening in Portland isn’t protest; it’s premeditated anarchy that has scarred the city for years — leaving officers battered, citizens terrorized, and property defaced,” the press release states.” – What about that statement is untrue?
https://rosecityantifa.org/
“We are a group closed to members only, but if you are interested in joining please send us an email with a little bit of information about you and what makes you interested in joining.”
Sure sounds like an organized group to me.
Meanwhile, in Portland:
https://katu.com/news/local/federal-agents-arrest-six-protesters-dhs-condemns-violent-attacks-officers-ice-portland-immigration-customs-enforcement-president-trump-troops#
Federal agents arrest six protesters outside Portland ICE facility Tuesday night
“In a statement from Tricia McLaughlin, the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security, it says that the six people arrested are facing charges for assaulting law enforcement.
KATU’s Victor Park reported on Tuesday night that federal officers fired pepper balls from the roof of the ICE facility and patrolled the streets outside.
Park also reported that several people clashed with federal agents with several protesters being carried away.”
Meanwhile, in Portland:
https://katu.com/news/local/oregon-woman-charged-with-assaulting-federal-officer-after-protest-at-ice-facility-katherine-vogel-portland-multnomah-county-us-attorney-office#
Oregon woman charged with assaulting federal officer after protest at ICE facility
PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon announced that 39-year-old Katherine Meagan Vogel has been charged with criminal complaint for felony offense of assaulting a federal officer.
According to court documents, on September 30, 2025, Vogel was detained by federal agents after she applied red paint on the driveway at the ICE facility in south Portland. “Federal officers escorted Vogel to the ICE facility to interview her for conduct related to depredation of government property,” the U.S Attorney’s Office said in a press release. “While federal officers processed her, Vogel struck one of the federal officers in the jaw with a closed fist.”
Vogel was arrested for assaulting a federal officer.
“Violence and property damage at the ICE building or any other federal building will not be tolerated. If you assault a federal law enforcement officer or damage federal property, you will be arrested and federally prosecuted,” said Scott E. Bradford, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon.
Meanwhile, in Portland:
https://www.kgw.com/article/news/crime/portland-four-arrested-laser-customs-and-border-protection-agency-helicopter/283-66385424-8b31-4c51-9c41-8729e7c6efee
4 arrested after laser aimed at Customs and Border Protection agency helicopter in Portland
PORTLAND, Ore. — Four people were arrested after a laser was aimed at a Customs and Border Protection agency helicopter conducting law enforcement over Portland skies over the weekend, the FBI Portland Division said.
Agents from the FBI Portland Division searched a home associated with a person who allegedly aimed the laser at the helicopter during the evening of Sept. 27, along with another aircraft that was in the area. The agents arrested the person and three others who were at the home. The four suspects were in the U.S. illegally and were placed into the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Enforcement and Removal Operations, the FBI Portland Division said.
“The federal government will not tolerate violence against federal officers, nor will we tolerate assaults on personal, commercial, or government aircraft,” the FBI Portland Division said in a news release.
During the investigation, the agents recovered the laser that was used.
Meanwhile, in Portland:
https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/man-found-dead-reported-shooting-southeast-portland/283-196071f1-45b6-4e5b-a0db-dfb18418e4dc
PORTLAND, Ore. — Officers found a man dead in the street after responding to a reported shooting early Saturday morning, the Portland Police Bureau reported.
The shooting was reported at 3:42 a.m. in the area of Southeast Powell Boulevard and 130th Avenue.
The suspect or suspects were already gone by the time police arrived. No arrests have been made, and police didn’t release any suspect information.
Homicide detectives responded to the scene, and the incident is currently under investigation.
Police later identified the deceased as Cesar Alejandro Cuevas-Morales, 32, of Venezuela.
Meanwhile, in Portland:
https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/portland-central-library-security-metal-detectors-vapor-sensors/283-b733d1d6-9848-4ed1-b6e9-e5992f772f91
Portland library boosts security after deadly incidents but consider adding metal detectors, vapor sensors
After several incidents including a deadly shooting this summer, library officials said they’ve upped security, investing over $3 million for the 2026 fiscal year.
PORTLAND, Ore. — Downtown Portland’s Central Library is meant to be a place of learning and community, but recent violence and safety concerns have forced leaders to rethink how to keep people safe inside and outside its doors.
“The safety and security of our library patrons is our number one priority,” said Multnomah County Director of Libraries Annie Lewis.
In July, one person was shot and killed outside the library. Then, in late August, a 44-year-old man was stabbed across the street but survived. These two incidents prompted the county and the director of the library to make changes.
“We are investing in a number of measures to help address our security needs here at Central Library that includes contracted security, increased training for our staff and security officers,” said Lewis.
Since adding the extra security officers, issues at the library have slowly dropped, according to Lewis.
“We invest heavily in security. In fact, (in) our fiscal year 2026 budget, we are investing over $3 million in security costs overall in our library system,” added Lewis.
The library has already added four more security officers since July, and another option being discussed are metal detectors.
I omitted the several other PoC – vs -PoC killings/shootings/stabbings that have happened in Portland over the last week. Look them up if you are so inclined.
Portland accepts a level of crime that is embarrassing because it’s generally siloed in poorer or black neighborhoods. Murder rates in Portland for black people have approximated 100 per 100,000 people – Portland accepts it as normal having neighborhoods with crime rates that are close to the highest in the world because most of them don’t have to deal with them. Portland has only itself to blame for the current situation.
@2 you think crime being “generally siloed in poorer neighborhoods” is unique to Portland? You don’t think cities with overall murder and crime rates significantly higher than Portland also have specific neighborhoods with crime and murder rates significantly higher than Portland’s worst neighborhoods?
@3 No, I don’t think that at all! It’s continually amazing how much disorder and crime we accept in the US because it happens in primarily poor neighborhoods, and it happens in every part of the country.
@1 Such is life in the big city — any big city. None of that justifies a National Guard call-out, let alone a full-on military occupation. Portland has a large and (ahem) energetic police department that surely can handle such incidents without Trump’s “help”.
“that surely can handle such incidents”
Maybe they CAN, but they certainly ARE NOT. Portland even refused to enforce the noise ordinance after people living in the building across from the ICE facility sued the city.
“Murder rates in Portland for black people have approximated 100 per 100,000 people”
Hi, I wouldn’t suppose you’ve got a cite for that stat, would ya? Please note, you needn’t reply here, as I’m sure you don’t.
@4 ok but you see how that completely negates your assertion that “Portland has only itself to blame for the current situation” right?
Nekra , you realize that you just quoted a 0.1% homicide rate for a major city right? Are you actually a moron or just play one on tv?
@9 The homicide rate for the USA (FBI, 2022 stats) is 6.8 per 100,000. Which would be 0.0068%, if percentages make you more comfy. And even that level drives most of the Western world nuts.
Stop shuffling zeros around to defend an abomination.
@10 “The homicide rate for the USA (FBI, 2022 stats) is 6.8 per 100,000”
Ya but in the Black neighborhoods it’s 1,000 per 100,000 because of permissive liberal policies
My father and uncles were in the original AntiFA in WWII. The default position of every Patriotic American is that of Anti-Fascism. Only traitors are not AntiFA!
@12 comparing the sacrifices your forefathers made to the overly privileged, miserable cosplayers running around Portland is an insult to their legacy.
Fascist isn’t a pejorative anymore, libs watered it down to an innocuous insult.
@12 – Fucking ridiculous. If you had told the American WW2 soldiers, when they joined up or were drafted to go fight the war, that they were going to potentially die for the cause of future open borders/mass immigration and “trans” stuff, almost all of them would have laughed in your face.
World War 2 was a war that was specifically fought, on the part of the Allies, in the defense of STRICT BORDER CONTROLS. If you can’t understand that, you’re an idiot.
Weird. I was taught that World War 2 was fought in defense of the 6 million Jews who were maliciously murdered. I guess I’m an idiot.
@16 – You obviously don’t know history then. World War 2 was primarily fought to counter Nazi Germany’s aggressive invasions and territorial expansion, not to end the Holocaust, which was largely unknown at the time, especially to the general public. The main catalysts for the war were Germany’s invasions of Poland in 1939, followed by attacks on other European nations, and Japan’s expansionist campaigns in Asia, which threatened Allied interests and global stability. The Allies—primarily the U.S., U.K., Soviet Union, and others—aimed to defeat the Axis powers (Germany, Italy, Japan) to restore sovereignty to occupied nations and halt their military dominance.
WW2 was a war fought in defense of borders.
Oh lookie, the thing that goofy naive white-guilt libprogs claim never happens, happened yet again:
Deported murderer arrested after reentering Texas from Mexico
October 2, 2025
Gregorio Denova-Cantu, 51, was arrested in Laredo after a Sept. 25 traffic stop found that he was an undocumented immigrant, Texas DPS said in a Thursday release.
Further investigation found that Cantu was a felon who had been deported from Texas to Mexico and had reentered the U.S. illegally.
Cantu had been sent to Mexico after being released from an 18-year sentence in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice on a murder charge, DPS said.
He was convicted of murder in 2004, and was held in the Hunstville Unit prior to his deportation. He is also a confirmed ranking member of the Hermandad de Pistoleros Latinos gang, according to DPS.
Cantu has been turned over to ICE custody.
https://www.fox4news.com/news/murderer-arrested-reentering-texas-gregorio-cantu
Where did you go, blob? Come back here and make yourself look like even more of an idiot so I can mock you