Portland city leaders gathered for a press conference Friday night to urge calm as federal agents reportedly surged into the city.
Troy Brynelson / OPB
UPDATE — Sept. 27, 2025: On Saturday morning, President Donald Trump announced he will send troops to Portland, “authorizing Full Force, if necessary” to handle “domestic terrorists” as he expands his controversial deployments to more American cities.
Original story below:
Reports of a ramp-up in federal officers in Portland on Friday prompted local officials to quickly urge residents: Don’t react.
“Don’t take the bait,” said U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, flanked by city, county and federal officials at a Northeast Portland church Friday evening.
The press conference came after multiple sightings of armored cars coming and going from the ICE building on SW Macadam Avenue in Portland. Mayor Keith Wilson opened his remarks at the press conference by saying there was a “sudden influx” of federal troops.
“This may be a show of force, but that’s all it is: it’s just a big show,” Wilson said.
Officials couldn’t say how many federal agents have suddenly emerged in the city, or what agencies they represent. Their reported appearance comes after President Donald Trump repeatedly portrayed the city as out of control, which local officials have disputed.
“Trump wants to tell a story of Portland that does not reflect who we are,” U.S. Rep. Maxine Dexter said at the Friday evening press conference. “The Portland we love did not ask for federal agents, and does not want federal agents.”
Wilson and the other officials didn’t cite any direct knowledge of federal agents’ plans, but noted the appearance of the federal vehicles and recent remarks from the president targeting Portland.
In a memo Thursday ordering a crackdown on alleged “organized political violence,” Trump wrote that “riots” in Portland and Los Angeles have resulted in a significant increase in attacks on ICE agents.
ICE officials did not immediately respond to a request for information about the reported influx of federal officers in Portland.
At the Friday press conference, multiple officials suggested the uptick was aimed at goading protesters into a conflict. They repeatedly described it as a trap and implored protesters to demonstrate peacefully.
“Do not give them what they want tonight or tomorrow night,” said Portland City Councilor Eric Zimmerman.
Department of Homeland Security officers protect the driveway of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in Portland, Ore., June 17, 2025.
Kristyna Wentz-Graff / OPB
Federal agents and protesters have clashed regularly outside the ICE building near Portland’s south waterfront. Those have led to numerous federal charges against protesters, though most have been misdemeanor charges over relatively minor incidents.
Still, tensions and political violence have flared across the country. Earlier this week, a man opened fire at the ICE facility in Dallas, Texas, killing at least one detainee. That incident is still under investigation.
The press conference ended after several demonstrators pressed local leaders to do more to protect people who protest outside the ICE building.
