Portland Mayor Keith Wilson has condemned President Trump’s plan to deploy federal troops to the city, asserting that there is no current lawlessness or violence in the area.
Portland Mayor Keith Wilson voiced strong opposition on Saturday to President Donald Trump’s announcement regarding the deployment of federal troops to Oregon’s largest city. The president’s decision comes amid ongoing protests and heightened tensions between federal authorities and local activists.
In a statement made during a news conference, Wilson asserted that there is no need for military intervention in Portland, declaring that the number of troops required is “zero.” He emphasized that the city is not a military target, stating, “This is an American city. We do not need any intervention.”
Trump’s announcement, made early Saturday morning, indicated that he had directed War Secretary Pete Hegseth to provide “all necessary troops to protect war-ravaged Portland, and any of our ICE facilities under siege from attack by Antifa and other domestic terrorists.” The president suggested he would authorize full force if necessary to address what he described as lawlessness.
In response, Wilson criticized the portrayal of Portland as a city in chaos, claiming that video footage of violence being circulated was outdated, stating it was “recycled and then recycled again” from incidents that occurred five years ago. He insisted that if Trump were to visit Portland today, he would see a community engaged in everyday activities such as riding bikes, playing sports, and shopping at local markets.
Wilson highlighted the progress the city has made since the footage was recorded, noting reforms in the public safety system and efforts to support vulnerable populations. “We’ve had hard conversations, and we’ve done important work in the years since that footage was taken,” he said.
Protests have intensified near the ICE facility in Portland since June, with city officials citing land use violations, including improper detainee holding times and boarded-up windows. The facility has been the site of vandalism and clashes between protesters and federal agents, occasionally resulting in violent confrontations. Law enforcement has responded with rubber bullets, tear gas, and flashbangs to disperse crowds during these events.
In August, video footage captured a particularly violent protest, showing demonstrators rolling out a guillotine, setting fires, and clashing with authorities. This incident prompted law enforcement to take action to control the situation.
Rather than sending troops to Portland, Wilson suggested that the president consider dispatching “hundreds of engineers, or teachers, or outreach workers” to the city. He expressed disappointment with the federal government’s approach, stating, “At the end of the day, this may be a show of force, but that’s all it is. It’s a big show, and after the big show, everyone goes home.”
Wilson emphasized Portland’s long-standing tradition of peaceful protest and its commitment to positive social change. He expressed concern over the potential risks associated with the federal intervention, noting that the administration has not clarified what it means by deploying “full force” against the city and its residents.
While Trump did not explicitly state that he would deploy full force against Portland’s citizens, he did mention sending “all necessary troops” to protect the city and its ICE facilities, authorizing full force against domestic terrorism if deemed necessary.
Portland has been designated a sanctuary city since 2017, resisting federal immigration enforcement and becoming a focal point in the administration’s immigration enforcement initiatives. In August, Attorney General Pam Bondi sent a letter to Wilson, warning that the city’s sanctuary policies undermine U.S. interests and demanding compliance with federal law.
The City of Portland did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the situation.
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