A woman stands off with a law enforcement officer wearing a Houston Field Office Special Response Team patch outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs (ICE) building during a protest. (AP)

US President Donald Trump said on Saturday he will send troops to Portland, Oregon, to confront what he called “domestic terrorists,” widening his use of federal forces in US cities.

Trump made the announcement on social media, saying he had ordered the Department of Defense to “provide all necessary Troops to protect War ravaged Portland.” He added: “I am also authorizing Full Force, if necessary.”

He said the move was needed to protect US Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities, which he described as “under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists.”

The Republican president

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