Portland police commander says federal forces escalated protest tensions

A Portland police commander testified Wednesday that federal forces deployed by President Donald Trump escalated tensions throughout protests exterior a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) constructing, rising slightly than containing the violence.

Commander of the Portland Police Bureau. Franz Schoening offered the testimony throughout a federal trial inspecting whether or not Trump had authorized grounds to ship the Nationwide Guard to Portland — a transfer metropolis officers mentioned was pointless and inflammatory.

Schoening described cases by which federal brokers fired tear gasoline at what he referred to as nonviolent protesters, calling the actions “startling.” The ICE facility has been a focus of protests since June.

He mentioned state and federal legislation prohibit police departments from utilizing the ways federal officers have employed, together with the usage of tear gasoline and different munitions. Portland cops, he added, have been themselves hit with tear gasoline and compelled to retreat.

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Federal brokers, together with members of the Division of Homeland Safety, Border Patrol and police, attempt to preserve protesters exterior an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Portland, Oregon on October 5, 2025. (Spencer Platt/Getty Pictures)

Schoening recounted a bigger Oct. 18 protest by which a federal agent allegedly launched munitions — smoke or tear gasoline — that bounced off the power’s driveway and landed on the roof, the place different officers have been stationed. These officers responded by firing extra rounds into the group.

“We didn’t see any violent habits or habits that will have led to this use of power,” Schoening testified. “It gave the impression to be attributable to the federal officer’s deployment of that munition. Our officers have been within the space and have been struck by federal munitions.”

U.S. Customs and Border Safety brokers face protesters as tear gasoline fills the air exterior the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement constructing throughout a protest Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Portland, Oregon. (AP Picture/Jenny Kane) (AP Picture/Jenny Kane)

Portland legal professional Caroline Turco mentioned the proof would present the protests have been largely peaceable and didn’t warrant Nationwide Guard intervention.

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“This case is about whether or not we’re a nation beneath constitutional legislation or beneath martial legislation,” Turco mentioned in his opening statements.

The U.S. Division of Justice countered that federal personnel had been focused all summer season. DOJ legal professional Eric Hamilton argued that “agitators have used power and threatened violence” in opposition to officers and property.

U.S. Border Patrol brokers detain a protester throughout a protest exterior ICE headquarters in south Portland, Oregon, on Thursday, October 3, 2025. (Reuters/Carlos Barria)

In a short, the Trump administration accused Portland authorities of being “unhelpful and at instances hostile” and alleged that the town’s police division had repeatedly didn’t help federal brokers.

“The file is replete with proof that PPB failed to supply aid when federal officers requested it,” DOJ attorneys wrote.

The administration additionally states that it was pressured to switch Division of Homeland Safety brokers from throughout the nation to Portland due to the protests.

U.S. Customs and Border Safety brokers detain a person exterior the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement constructing throughout a protest on Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Portland, Oregon. (AP Picture/Jenny Kane)

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It additionally says the Trump administration may name within the Nationwide Guard as a result of the president has didn’t implement the legislation with common troops in Portland and has characterised the protests as an “rebel” or a “hazard of revolt” — each cited as justifications beneath federal legislation for deploying the Nationwide Guard.

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The non-jury trial is predicted to final three days and can embrace testimony from federal officers. Native police declare they’ve made arrests when mandatory whereas respecting First Modification rights.

The Related Press contributed to this report.