Federal Tactics Escalate in Portland Protests, Days After Judge Blocks National Guard Deployment
Federal Tactics Escalate in Portland Protests, Days After Judge Blocks National Guard Deployment
Federal law enforcement officers dramatically escalated their tactics against protesters in Portland on Saturday, October 4, 2025, just hours after a federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s plan to deploy 200 members of the Oregon National Guard to the city. Outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility, federal officers aggressively pushed crowds back hundreds of yards, deploying tear gas, flash-bang grenades, and pepper balls without apparent provocation.
The forceful intervention, described by protesters as a significant departure from previous nights, began shortly after 8 p.m. Officers marched out, clearing the driveway, and then systematically pushed demonstrators several blocks into the surrounding neighborhood. As protesters questioned why they were being forced back on public streets, officers deployed chemical munitions at their feet and legs before retreating. Similar tactics were used on another group of protesters on a different street.
Eyewitnesses, including OPB reporters, observed federal officers flanked by videographers and drones, documenting the show of force. Protesters expressed confusion and anger, with one stating, “What I saw is that they wanted us to fight.” Another long-time demonstrator noted, “It’s a lot of gas, a lot more than in the past. And a lot more aggression. If there’s a war zone in Portland, it’s because of them.” It remains unclear what specifically triggered this heightened strategy from federal officers, and the Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to inquiries.
The escalation unfolded following U.S. District Court Judge Karin Immergut’s ruling at approximately 4:30 p.m. that Saturday, which temporarily halted President Trump’s National Guard deployment. The Trump administration has since filed an appeal. Immergut’s decision cited concerns that the deployment would likely inflame protests, rather than quell them. Portland Police Bureau officers were present but took no action, informing protesters they could not intervene with federal law enforcement.
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