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Oregon Senators Condemn Trump’s Troop Deployment
Democratic Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden responded sharply on Saturday after President Donald Trump announced plans to deploy troops to Portland, the state’s largest city.
Wyden: “Authoritarian Takeover”
Wyden took to social media, calling the move an “authoritarian takeover” aimed at provoking conflict in his hometown. He urged residents to reject Trump’s attempt to incite violence in what he described as a “vibrant and peaceful city.” He also vowed to do “everything” in his power to protect the people of Oregon.
Merkley Echoes Concerns
Merkley voiced similar concerns, accusing Trump of deliberately stoking violence. In his statement, he warned, “Trump is sending troops to Portland with the goal of ’doing a number’ on the city. He wants to trigger fear, chaos, and violent interactions to justify expanded authoritarian control. Let’s not take the bait!”
Trump’s Announcement
The comments came the same day Trump posted on Truth Social that his administration would send “all necessary” troops to “protect” what he called “war-ravaged Portland.” He cited threats to federal facilities and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) locations, claiming the presence of “domestic terrorists.”
Growing Tensions
Local leaders, including Merkley and Wyden, criticized the deployment as unnecessary and potentially inflammatory. They called on Portland residents to remain calm and reject attempts to escalate violence.