Oregon lawmakers have strongly rejected former President Donald Trump’s latest comments about Portland. They say his claims of chaos in the city are false and meant to justify the use of federal troops. At a press conference in downtown Portland, the state’s senators and representatives described Trump’s remarks as misleading and dangerous.
Senator Ron Wyden told reporters that Trump’s argument is nothing more than a fable. He said the former president often repeats false stories he sees on television about the city. Wyden stressed that life in Portland is stable and does not match the picture of nonstop disorder painted by Trump.
Trump’s comments came during an Oval Office event where he announced a federal push to investigate what he called “organized political violence.” He suggested wealthy donors were paying groups to create unrest in Portland. He also claimed that shop owners have abandoned their businesses and that the city has been burning for years. Local leaders quickly dismissed these statements as untrue.
The city of Portland was a major center of protests in 2020 following the death of George Floyd. At that time, demonstrations against police violence drew national attention. But barriers around federal buildings have since been removed, and daily life has returned to normal. Lawmakers say the idea that Portland is still in crisis is a myth.
Senator Jeff Merkley said that when he and colleagues visited a local Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility this week, they found no protests at all. He said Trump’s words are not based on facts but are meant to create fear. According to Merkley, Trump is trying to justify the use of force by first creating an image of chaos. He warned this approach risks fueling further unrest.
Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici also criticized Trump’s claims. She said his talk of a “war on Antifa” is misleading because Antifa is an ideology, not an organized group. Bonamici argued that Trump is more interested in control than in public safety. She reminded reporters that Portland does not want or need federal troops under his orders. She also noted the danger of using false claims to promote authoritarian actions.
Trump’s descriptions of Portland included references to boarded-up shops and violent protests. He suggested that residents live in constant fear. Lawmakers countered this by pointing to video evidence from local media that showed federal agents escalating confrontations with peaceful protesters. Wyden and Merkley both said that these clashes were provoked by federal forces rather than demonstrators.
Bonamici added that Trump’s release of individuals convicted for their role in the January 6 Capitol attack undermines his claims about safety. She argued that his focus is not on protecting communities but on building political narratives. According to her, Portland residents are tired of being used as part of a national debate that misrepresents their city.
Wyden also stressed that misleading claims about Portland harm its reputation. He said it is unfair to suggest that the city has been consumed by anarchy when the reality is very different. He called Trump’s language reckless and said it creates unnecessary fear.
Merkley repeated that there is no evidence of large-scale violence in the city today. He said Trump’s talk about “professional agitators” is unsupported by facts. Instead, Merkley argued that Trump is trying to paint a picture that suits his political goals. He urged the public to look at verified reports rather than rely on false claims.
The lawmakers agreed that the former president’s statements threaten democratic norms. They warned that labeling cities as violent without evidence paves the way for more government overreach. They called on residents to stay informed and resist efforts to spread misinformation.
Oregon leaders closed the press conference by affirming that their state values truth, safety, and accountability. They said Portland is a strong community that has faced challenges but continues to thrive. Above all, they stressed that the city does not need military presence and will not be defined by political falsehoods.
