In sending the National Guard to Portland, Ore., President Trump has launched a battle with a city he’s often demonized as being the seat of the far left — a move likely to spur conflict as the White House looks to crack down on alleged radicalism.

Trump over the weekend said he would “provide all necessary Troops to protect War ravaged Portland,” describing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) offices as being “under siege.”

Trump has used protests against ICE as the basis for increasing the federal presence in several cities, including Los Angeles; Washington, D.C.; and Chicago.

But Trump’s interest in Portland comes as he has signed two different orders addressing antifa, labeling the ideology that opposes fascism as a domestic terror group. That was followed by another order on countering domestic political violence that encourages government agencies to pursue left-wing groups.

To Oregon's Democratic leadership, the effort is a clear provocation, one driven by Trump to back his claims in the wake of the assassination of Charlie Kirk that political violence is driven by the left.

“Trump is launching an authoritarian takeover of Portland hoping to provoke conflict in my hometown,” Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) wrote on social platform X over the weekend.

“I urge Oregonians to reject Trump’s attempt to incite violence in what we know is a vibrant and peaceful city. I will do everything in my power to protect the people in our state.”

Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek (D) offered identical advice to residents: “Let’s not take the bait.”

Portland has long held a certain status on the consciousness of the right, and it has remained an investigative target of the congressional GOP for years following protests of the 2020 death of George Floyd at the hands of police.

What started as peaceful protests stretched for months, ultimately devolving into riots as clashes sparked between Black Lives Matter protesters and counterprotesters who arrived in the area.

In the wake of that episode, Trump and others have pinned blame on antifa for actions in Portland, including the president’s claim that antifa had attacked ICE facilities in the area.

Experts say antifa is not the sprawling, organized group that Trump has claimed but rather

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