Oct 1, 2025 - News

Taxpayers may foot $3.8M bill for Portland troop deployment

Meira Gebel

Crowd of armored police and gas-masked officers confronting protesters and press wearing gas masks and helmets on a city street during a demonstration with signs visible in background. — Federal agents confront protesters outside the ICE building in South Portland on Sept. 28. Photo: Mathieu Lewis-Rolland/Getty Images

Deployment of National Guard soldiers to Portland is expected to cost federal taxpayers at least $3.8 million, according to a brief legislative session held in Salem this week.

The big picture: Local officials argue the government is footing an unnecessary and expensive bill to respond to protests outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in South Portland, where sporadic clashes with federal agents date back to June.

"It's a waste of money," U.S. Rep. Janelle Bynum told the Oregonian. "There are other projects that we really do need help with here in the state, and we have every expectation that those should have been funded instead."

Follow the money: The estimated $3.8 million price tag is based on the cost of paying for the average salaries of 200 Guard members for 80 days and does not include transportation, meals and lodging, per OPB.

Russell Gibson, a government and legislative affairs director for the Oregon Military Department, told lawmakers Tuesday that "the details of the mission are still to be determined," but the goal will be to protect federal facilities from vandalism, not to act as law enforcement.

What we're watching: Whether or not National Guard troops get boots on the ground in Portland in the next week may depend on a court hearing Friday.

Oregon and Portland filed for a temporary injunction to block Trump's orders, calling the decision to mobilize troops illegal.

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Taxpayers may foot $3.8M bill for Portland troop deployment

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