Trump directs admin to review federal funding to Portland amid anti-ICE ‘anarchy,’ Leavitt says
President Trump has instructed his administration to investigate potential cuts to federal funding in Portland, Ore., in response to ongoing anti-ICE protests, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced during a rare Friday briefing.
“I just spoke with the president about this, and he has instructed his team here at the White House to start evaluating aid that could potentially be cut in Portland,” she said.
“We will not provide funding to states that permit anarchy.”
Federal immigration officials have reported that their facility in Portland, Oregon, has been under attack nightly, with little assistance from local authorities. Portland’s ICE Office Director Cammila Wamsley stated that the protests have escalated beyond mere chants and signs, with bottle rockets being launched at the ICE building, causing damage to windows.
The White House press secretary emphasized the administration’s stance on not supporting states that allow lawlessness and disorder. President Trump’s directive to review federal funding for Portland is seen as a response to the ongoing unrest and violence directed at federal buildings and authorities in the city.
The decision to potentially cut off federal funds to Portland comes amid heightened tensions between federal law enforcement and protesters in the city. The Trump administration has been vocal in its criticism of local officials for not taking stronger actions to quell the unrest and protect federal property.
The move to review funding for Portland is likely to further escalate tensions between the federal government and local authorities. It remains to be seen how city leaders will respond to the threat of losing federal funding and whether this will lead to any changes in their approach to handling the protests.
