City Leaders Say Trump Administration Has Sent Influx of Federal Agents to Portland

The Trump administration has deployed additional federal agents to Portland, prompting local officials to promote peaceful protests. Mayor Keith Wilson confirmed sightings of federal law enforcement vehicles on city streets, stating that the deployment became a reality amid escalating tensions from the White House. Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley warned that President Trump's goal is to provoke violence, urging residents to maintain calm protests. The federal response follows a recent shooting at an ICE facility in Dallas, Texas, raising concerns about the safety of federal agents. While some protests have remained peaceful, federal agents have reportedly used tear gas indiscriminately on demonstrators, impacting local residents.

Portland police have largely stayed out of the conflict, with Wilson stating they are instructed to intervene only during violence or vandalism. Local leaders, including City Councilor Eric Zimmerman, expressed that the federal presence is unwarranted, emphasizing that crime rates in the city are down. The city also launched an investigation into ICE's alleged violations of its conditional use permit to operate in the area.