Trump Authorises Troops to Chicago as Judge Blocks Portland Deployment

President Donald Trump has authorised the deployment of troops to Chicago following the shooting of an allegedly armed motorist by a federal agent on Saturday. Meanwhile, a judge blocked the Republican leader’s attempt to send military forces into Portland, another Democratic-led city.

The escalating situation underscores the tension between Trump’s increasingly militarised anti-crime and migration initiatives and opposition Democrats, who accuse him of an authoritarian power grab.

“President Trump has authorised 300 National Guardsmen to protect federal officers and assets in Chicago,” said White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson in a statement. The announcement follows weeks of threats from Trump to send troops to the Midwestern city, against the wishes of local leaders.

“President Trump will not turn a blind eye to the lawlessness plaguing American cities,” she added.

Portland and Chicago are the latest flashpoints in the Trump administration’s series of federal deployments, following prior operations in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.

Trump has repeatedly described Portland as “war-ravaged” and plagued by violent crime. However, US District Judge Karin Immergut rejected the deployment in a Saturday court order, stating that: “The President’s determination was simply untethered to the facts.”

Although the city has witnessed scattered attacks on federal officers and property, the administration failed to show that these incidents were part of “an organised attempt to overthrow the government as a whole,” Judge Immergut wrote in granting a temporary restraining order.

The judge also noted that Portland’s protests did not pose a “danger of rebellion” and could be effectively handled by “regular law enforcement forces.”

Oregon Senator Ron Wyden praised the ruling, stating: “This victory supports what Oregonians already know: we don’t need or want Donald Trump to provoke violence by deploying federal troops in our state.”

Earlier on Saturday, a federal officer in Chicago shot a motorist after law enforcement agents were reportedly “boxed in by 10 cars,” according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

“Agents were unable to move their vehicles and exited the car. One of the drivers who rammed the law enforcement vehicle was armed with a semi-automatic weapon,” said DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.

“Law enforcement was forced to deploy their weapons and fire defensive shots at an armed US citizen.”

AFP has not independently verified the DHS account.

The agency added that the motorist “drove herself to the hospital to receive care for her wounds.”

McLaughlin further accused Chicago police of “leaving the shooting scene” and refusing to assist in securing the area.

In response, Chicago police told local broadcaster Fox 32 that officers did attend the scene but clarified: “The department is not involved in the incident or its investigation. Federal authorities are investigating this shooting.”