Oregon Officials Condemn Trump‘s Threat of Military Intervention in Portland
PORTLAND, OR – Oregon Governor tina Kotek and Senator Ron Wyden have sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s recent declaration regarding potential military intervention in Portland, dismissing his claims of widespread unrest and accusing him of seeking an “authoritarian takeover.” The dispute stems from Trump’s statements on his Truth Social platform, where he asserted a need for “full violence if necessary” against protestors near local ICE facilities, referencing an application he approved.
The President’s claims directly contradict assessments from Oregon officials and reports indicating that demonstrations in Portland have been small and largely peaceful. According to reports, fewer than 30 people typically participate in protests, and no arrests have been made since mid-June. Governor Kotek stated there are “no threats to national security in Portland,” and that ”our communities are safe and quiet.”
Senator Wyden characterized Trump’s move as an attempt to trigger a “conflict” in the city and initiate an “authoritarian takeover.”
This is not the first instance of Trump deploying federal resources to cities experiencing protests. In June, he sent the National Guard and Marine infantry to Los Angeles, and in August, he federalized the National Guard in Washington D.C., assuming control of local police forces. More recently, in mid-September, trump ordered the National Guard to Memphis, Tennessee, and has threatened similar deployments to democratic strongholds including Chicago, New York, and New Orleans.
Trump has justified these actions by citing crime and perceived inaction from local authorities, a claim critics argue is an exaggeration intended to justify an increasingly authoritarian governing style.