Portland Police Testify Federal Troops Escalated Anti-ICE Protests

During a federal bench trial in Portland, Oregon, differing accounts emerged regarding the deployment of federal forces to manage protests outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility. Portland Police officials testified that the protests were largely peaceful and that federal agents' use of tear gas and munitions escalated tensions, forcing local officers to retreat and contributing to increased violence. Commander Franz Schoening described federal tactics as "startling" and highlighted incidents where federal munitions were fired without provocation from protesters, contradicting the peaceful nature of the demonstrations. Plaintiffs' attorney Caroline Turco framed the federal deployment as government overreach and argued that the National Guard's intervention was unnecessary and provocative, advocating for constitutional law over martial law. However, video evidence from independent journalists and federal sources showed protesters engaging in aggressive actions such as throwing munitions at federal agents, which officials say justified the federal response. The trial continues with further testimonies expected from ICE, Federal Protective Service, and Department of War officials, amid ongoing protests where some participants use music and dancing to counter negative narratives.