Victor Davis Hanson: Portland Sides With Antifa on the Wrong Side of History

Portland, Oregon, is under siege.

Antifa-style protesters have targeted federal ICE headquarters by blocking access, attacking officers, and daring Washington to respond. Now, President Trump wants to send federalized troops to restore order and uphold the law.
On Sunday, a federal judge blocked President Trump’s move to send National Guard troops to Portland. Asked about the judge’s order, Trump told press Monday his administration is going to “look at that.”

“Portland is burning to the ground. It’s insurrectionist all over the place,” the president said.

Victor Davis Hanson explains why this isn’t just about one city or one protest—it’s about whether states can defy federal law altogether on today’s episode of “Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words.”

“Trump's point, I think, is different. He is saying that the city of Portland, by its nonenforcement, by intent—not just capability, by intent—it is allowing an area of Portland to be free of, exempt from the law. Local law, state law, but more importantly, federal law, too.

“In other words, people can commit mayhem against federal personnel with impunity. And Donald Trump is saying that I have to protect the civil rights of those agents and that agency.”

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(0:00) Federal Troops in Portland
(0:36) Legal Justifications
(2:04) The Role of Antifa
(3:58) Historical Context
(6:06) Final Thoughts