“Trump is sending troops to Portland with the goal of ’doing a number’ on the city,” Merkley said. “We know what this means. He wants to stoke fear and chaos and trigger violent interactions and riots to justify expanded authoritarian control. Let’s not take the bait!”

Their comments came the same day Trump announced via Truth Social that his administration would be sending “all necessary” troops to “protect” what he described as “War ravaged Portland,” as well as Immigrations and Customs Enforcement facilities, from “domestic terrorists.”