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The president of Portland’s police union said he’s open to federal support to help the agency combat a “burst” in crime.
President Donald Trump has indicated his intention to deploy National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon, aiming to safeguard the city and ICE facilities, which he claims have been targeted by Antifa.
“Following a request from Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, I am instructing Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to supply all necessary military support to protect embattled Portland and any besieged ICE facilities under attack by Antifa and other domestic terrorists,” Trump expressed in a Truth Social post. “Full force is also authorized, if needed.”
Camilla Wamsley, the director of Portland’s ICE office, previously informed Fox News that the agency’s site has faced ongoing violence for over 100 consecutive nights and mentioned that local police in Portland have been instructed not to assist.
Federal agents, including members from the Department of Homeland Security, the Border Patrol, and police units, strive to restrain protesters outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility on Oct. 6, 2025, in Portland, Oregon. This location has become a central point for nightly demonstrations against the Trump administration and his announcement regarding the deployment of National Guard troops to Portland. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
“We’re gradually recovering from a sharp increase and expansion in crime rates. I mean, our homicide rates rose fivefold from 2020 to 2023 but are now slowly decreasing, even though we recorded nine last month,” he noted.
The union president said he’s sympathetic to the fear that federal law enforcement is feeling after a series of attacks.
Law enforcement officers are depicted standing amidst tear gas outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility during a protest on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, in Portland, Oregon. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
“I am extraordinarily sympathetic to how concerned and afraid federal officers – I mean, there was a shooting in Dallas at an ICE facility. There are federal officers being hit by cars. And, you know, in a world where we have different perspectives about politics, it’s one thing to have policy discussions and everything else. But no one should be OK with violence directed at anyone,” Schmautz said.
Fox News Digital reached out to the Portland City Council and mayor’s office for comment.
