A Portland police commander delivered startling testimony Wednesday, revealing how federal forces deployed to the city actually *escalated* tensions during protests. Commander Franz Schoening asserted that, rather than calming the unrest, the actions of President Trump’s deployed agents intensified the violence unfolding outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building.
Schoening’s account came during a federal bench trial centered on the legality of deploying the National Guard to Portland – a move city officials vehemently opposed as unnecessary and deliberately provocative. He detailed specific instances of federal agents unleashing tear gas on peaceful demonstrators, describing the moments as profoundly “startling.”
The ICE facility had become a magnet for protest since June, but Schoening testified that the tactics employed by federal officers – including the widespread use of tear gas and other munitions – directly violated both state and federal law governing police conduct. He revealed that Portland police officers themselves were caught in the crossfire, forced to retreat from the escalating chaos.
A particularly disturbing incident unfolded during a large protest on October 18th. Schoening recounted how a federal agent launched a munition that ricocheted off the facility’s driveway, landing on the roof where other agents were positioned. This sparked a volley of additional rounds fired *into* the crowd.
“We didn't see any violent conduct or behavior that would have precipitated that use of force,” Schoening stated under oath. “It appeared to be triggered by the federal officer's deployment of that munition. Our officers were in close proximity and were struck by federal munitions.”
Portland attorney Caroline Turco framed the case as a fundamental challenge to the rule of law, arguing the evidence would demonstrate the protests were overwhelmingly peaceful and did not warrant National Guard intervention. “This case is about whether we are a nation of constitutional law or martial law,” she declared in her opening statement.
The U.S. Justice Department countered with claims that federal personnel had been consistently targeted throughout the summer, alleging “agitators” had engaged in violence and threats against both officers and property. They painted a picture of a city spiraling out of control.
In trial briefs, the Trump administration accused Portland authorities of being “unhelpful and at times hostile,” asserting the city’s police repeatedly failed to provide support to federal agents. They argued a pattern of non-assistance justified their actions.
The administration further contended that the protests necessitated the reassignment of Department of Homeland Security agents from across the country to Portland. They maintained the president had the authority to call out the National Guard, citing a perceived inability to enforce the law with regular forces and characterizing the protests as a potential “rebellion.”
The non-jury trial, expected to last three days, will feature testimony from federal officials. Local police, however, maintain they consistently made arrests when necessary while diligently upholding First Amendment rights, presenting a stark contrast to the federal approach.
