Few other cities have perhaps experienced the repercussions of a fracturing American consensus as acutely as Portland, Oregon. Our city exhibits the widest perception disparity between men and women (a ), vastly different media coverage by news outlets favored by the political and , and, far too often, a significant divide between and .

As Portland’s mayor, I perceive an even more stubborn and disappointing discrepancy between the President’s declarations and my daily observations. He has stated that a controversial federal facility facing predominantly peaceful protests is and that he will on our city with . These assertions are irreconcilable with the Portland I see every day—a city of innovation and inherent beauty, of benevolence and empathy, and of shared community principles and objectives.

To those most critical of Portland, I would pose this question: If you visited our schools, would you finance teachers or would you deploy troops? If you traversed our bridges, would you dispatch engineers or would you send troops? If you observed our hospitals, would you back Medicaid, or would you send troops? If you engaged with our homeless population, would you provide outreach specialists and addiction counselors or would you send troops? If you encountered the daughters whose immigrant fathers were forcibly removed on their way to school drop-off, would you still send masked individuals to further traumatize our neighborhoods?

The federal government is retracting from its longstanding housing and economic commitments to cities nationwide. This has created a leadership void instead of a partnership for Oregon’s future prosperity and liberty. Anyone prepared to assist Portland is welcome to participate, including the federal government. We urgently seek their return to that discussion.

We must acknowledge that the American consensus regarding Portland was intentionally broken, and it is harming our city. That perception was shattered by the constant flow of divisive video clips—some new, most from five years ago—all designed to incite anger and division. This detrimental environment cannot foster unity, nor can it serve the collective interests of our nation; it can only impede our progress.

Portland, currently facing a period of profound apprehension and uncertainty, requires clear answers. What is the role of domestic peace officers, including federal agents, and what now falls under the jurisdiction of national security and the Department of War? What is the objective of this deployment, and how will its success or failure be determined? Will that mission prioritize our community’s needs equally with national political expediency, or is the safety of our citizens less crucial than fleeting political appearances?

We do not request, but demand to understand, what the authorization of “Full Force” signifies for Portlanders. As Mayor, should I instruct our teachers to educate, our workers to perform their duties, and our parents to parent as usual, or should I advise our hospitals and morgues to prepare for the unthinkable?

We are familiar with the National Guard troops who are destined for our city. They are our own, fellow Oregonians. They work in our stores and offices. They are the mothers, fathers, and teachers we greet in the hallways of our schools. They are also the ones who come to our aid during our most dire moments. They are present when wildfires rage, or floods cause destruction, or overseas conflicts demand their service. When these citizen soldiers answered this call, they made a solemn vow to their communities and our nation, a promise I believe the federal administration is now dishonoring.

Portland is experiencing a moment of clarity. We have learned that reforming our public safety system and is insufficient to prevent the arrival of troops. We have learned that focusing on our economy and supporting our most vulnerable citizens is not enough to stop troops from coming. Perhaps most troubling of all, we have discovered that avoiding national conflict, engaging in dialogue, de-escalating tensions, and prioritizing our responsibility to our community above all else have still not deterred troops from arriving.

I cannot adequately express the profound sadness and disappointment I feel when I hear the leader of our country advocate for the militarization of a situation that does not exist, under vague, unknown, and potentially lethal rules, and with no clear criteria for success or failure. There is no military strength without moral strength, no positive outcome when inciting tempers alongside uncertainty and rifles, and no room for error in what might transpire next.

As Mayor, I endorse our community’s aspiration to mend our fractured image. I support Portland’s long-standing tradition of large-scale, peaceful demonstrations. Our city boasts a commendable record of being at the forefront of positive social transformation, and the entire nation has benefited from that passion and ethical clarity.

The conflict the federal administration appears to be seeking does not reside in our city, and I urge our national leaders to pursue a path that leads to our future, rather than deepening fear and division.