Federal Law Enforcement Crackdown: Troops Deployed in Portland, Chicago, and Memphis Amid Protests

Mon Oct 20 2025 13:59:02 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a significant escalation of federal law enforcement presence, President Trump has ordered troops to Portland and is increasing immigration enforcement in Chicago and Memphis, provoking controversy among local leaders and citizens.

President Donald Trump's recent decision to deploy federal troops to Portland amid rising tensions regarding immigration enforcement in various U.S. cities has generated pushback from local governors and community leaders. Protests have erupted in areas like Chicago, where federal agents clashed with demonstrators near an ICE building, and in Memphis, where the National Guard's pending arrival has raised concerns about immigrant rights. As the administration's crackdown on crime continues, local officials argue for a focus on community support rather than military presence.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — President Donald Trump’s announcement that he will send federal troops to Portland, along with federal agents engaged in confrontations with protesters in Chicago, marks a significant escalation in federal law enforcement actions across U.S. cities.

On social media, Trump described the deployment as essential to protect U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities, eliciting criticism from Oregon’s Democratic Governor Tina Kotek, who contended that the city's local governance is handling the situation without federal involvement.

In Chicago, a tense atmosphere has emerged, particularly after federal agents deployed pepper balls and tear gas against protesters who gathered near an ICE facility in Broadview, a suburb of Chicago. Tensions have surged amid a broader crackdown on immigration enforcement initiated earlier in the month.

Meanwhile, Republican Governor Bill Lee of Tennessee announced the arrival of federal agents in Memphis beginning next week. These developments follow efforts to curb crime-related incidents in a region that has seen a rise in violent crime rates.

Kotek publicly denounced Trump's order, claiming it represents an abuse of authority, while expressing her belief that soldiers are unnecessary in Portland. The situation escalated with protests adjacent to the ICE building, leading to arrests from federal law enforcement.

In Chicago, federal agents have faced backlash from local officials, including the Broadview mayor, who criticized the use of chemical agents, arguing they endanger both protesters and local authorities. Activists have often raised concerns over the conditions within detention centers that process arrested individuals.

In Memphis, plans are under discussion for a task force to address violent crime. Despite claims of increasing federal presence, local officials maintain that there is a decrease in certain crime categories. Governor Lee stated that the number of National Guard troops arriving will be limited, asserting that they will not be making arrests unless requested by local authorities.

Protests in Memphis last weekend called for additional community resources rather than military support, echoing sentiments shared by officials in Oregon, who advocate for local solutions over federal interventions.