Despite President Donald Trump’s recent warnings about sending federal troops to Portland, Oregon, locals say his depiction of the city is wildly inaccurate and out of touch with reality.
A visit to downtown Portland on Saturday just hours after Trump labeled the city “war ravaged” to justify federal troop deployment—revealed a peaceful and vibrant community, far from the violence the president described. Trump’s view appears heavily influenced by misleading conservative media, Portland residents say.
Outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office in a quiet residential area, only four protesters gathered, far from the “siege” Trump claimed. Among them was 26-year-old Jack Dickinson, dressed in a chicken costume wrapped with an American flag and holding a sign that read “Portland Will Outlive Him.” Drivers passing by honked support.
Dickinson, a Portland native who has helped organize the ongoing small protests, expressed no surprise at Trump’s focus on the city but criticized the president’s threat to use “full force” against demonstrators.
“There’s no reason for the National Guard or military to crack down on these people,” Dickinson said. “The narrative about Portland has been manipulated by selectively edited videos to justify this crackdown.”
The ICE office, which Portland recently accused of illegally detaining individuals, is located next to a Tesla dealership—prompting some protesters to link corporate support with government actions. One held a sign reading, “Tesla Funds Fascism/Stop Buying Teslas.”
Another protester, who goes by “Burrito,” called out the president’s description of the city and its activists. “This is not a war zone,” he said. “It’s disgusting how he talks about us.” Burrito explained the protests aim to resist federal agents, whom they blame for any violence. “As more people join during the day, the agents respond with force. They’re the ones escalating, not us.”
Nearby coffee shops and restaurants were bustling with weekend customers, contrasting sharply with the president’s portrayal of Portland. The downtown area, which saw large protests in 2020 against police violence and federal troop deployments, was calm and uneventful.
Outside the federal courthouse, only a street sweeper in a neon vest was visible. The fences and boarded windows that once surrounded the building and police headquarters have long been removed since the height of racial justice protests following George Floyd’s murder.
Similarly quiet was the Edith Green federal building, which recently saw the arrival of federal agents, including those in armored vehicles, according to local media reports.
Meanwhile, the nearby Portland farmers’ market thrived, filled with locals and visitors enjoying fresh produce and treats from small businesses—such as a popular acai bowl stand started by a local yoga teacher.
On social media, Portland residents continue to mock Trump’s false claims, sharing photos of everyday city life alongside clips of the president’s own words, in which he described Portland as “like living in Hell.”
