US PRESIDENT Donald Trump continued his authoritarian clampdown against perceived domestic opponents at the weekend.

He announced that he will send troops to Portland, “authorising full force, if necessary” to handle “domestic terrorists” as he expands his deployments to more US cities.

Oregon Democratic Governor Tina Kotek responded by saying President Trump is abusing his authority by ordering troops into a city that she said is doing “just fine” on its own. 

Other government, police and business leaders also said soldiers are not needed and President Trump is presenting a patently false picture of the city.

Mr Trump made his announcement on social media, writing that he was directing the Department of Defence to “provide all necessary troops to protect war-ravaged Portland.” 

He said the decision was necessary to protect US Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities, which he alleged without evidence are “under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists.“

Ms Kotek said she directly told President Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that troops were not needed and that he did not have the authority to deploy the military there.

President Trump has previously deployed guard soldiers and active duty Marines in Los Angeles even though California Governor Gavin Newsom opposed it. The federal government is appealing a judge’s ruling that move was illegal.