1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my deep concern and strong opposition to President Trump's recent announcement regarding the deployment of U.S. troops to Portland, Oregon. This action, purportedly to protect "War ravaged Portland" and ICE facilities from alleged threats, is not only an alarming overreach of federal power but also potentially illegal under the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878. The president's directive to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, authorizing the use of "Full Force, if necessary," is a dangerous escalation that threatens the fundamental principles of our democracy. The Posse Comitatus Act explicitly prohibits the use of federal troops to enforce domestic laws, a crucial safeguard against military intervention in civilian affairs. It's critical to note that neither the White House nor the Defense Department has provided any substantiation for the claims of a siege on ICE facilities or the characterization of Portland as "war ravaged." This lack of transparency raises serious questions about the motives behind this unprecedented move. I urge you to take immediate action to prevent this unconstitutional use of military force on American soil. Specifically, I ask that you: 1. Publicly denounce this directive and call for its immediate rescission. 2. Initiate a congressional inquiry into the legality and necessity of this proposed action. 3. Work to reinforce the protections provided by the Posse Comitatus Act to prevent future attempts at deploying military forces for domestic law enforcement. The safety and rights of our fellow citizens in Portland, and indeed all Americans, are at stake. We must act swiftly to uphold the Constitution and protect our democratic institutions from this dangerous overreach of executive power. The consequences of inaction could set a perilous precedent for the use of military force against American citizens. I look forward to your prompt response and decisive action on this critical issue.