Recent protests in Los Angeles have erupted into chaos, featuring freeway takeovers, aggressive law enforcement responses, and even self-driving cars set ablaze, all ignited by a call for increased law enforcement from President Donald Trump.
These scenes echo troubling memories from 2020 when federal agents were deployed in Portland, leading to intense clashes and prolonged unrest.
From his experience as chief of staff to then-Gov. Kate Brown, Nik Blosser offers insight into the ramifications of the federal presence in Oregon, describing a situation that spiraled out of control due to the lack of training among federal officers in crowd control tactics.
“It was terrible for weeks,” Blosser recalls, highlighting how the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal agencies exacerbated tensions within the community during the 2020 protests.
Despite this history of backlash, President Trump is signaling plans to ramp up federal involvement in California and potentially other states if protests surrounding his immigration policies persist.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has openly opposed the federal deployment of the National Guard, framing it as an act of provocation from the administration.
This past weekend in Portland, the relationship with federal officers came under scrutiny when police engaged with protesters at an ICE facility.
City officials assert they are urging federal agencies to allow local police to manage the situation autonomously while considering new policies to limit collaboration between local law enforcement and federal officers during protests.
The chaotic protests in Los Angeles serve as a reminder of the volatile atmosphere in Portland during the summer of 2020, when demonstrations erupted in response to George Floyd’s murder by Minneapolis police.
That environment saw an escalation in violence, particularly with the introduction of federal law enforcement into the mix, which many local protesters allege only aggravated existing tensions.
Mac Smiff, a prominent Portland activist, participated in many of the 2020 protests and recalls the significant shift in the protests’ atmosphere with the federal presence.
“It was definitely an escalation in violence,” he said, noting how federal officers employed swift and aggressive measures that contrasted starkly with the strategies of local police.
For City Councilor Candace Avalos, the installation of a tall fence around the Mark O. Hatfield U.S. Courthouse marked a turning point in the protests.
“The protests were starting to die down,” Avalos noted. “But all of a sudden, the fences went up, and the tensions went up with it.”
The federal officers’ lack of accountability allowed them to employ tactics that local police were restricted from using due to city policies and court injunctions.
Then-Mayor Ted Wheeler criticized the federal tactics as heavy-handed, expressing that their involvement escalated the already volatile situation.
Wheeler’s remarks highlighted the anxiety surrounding federal overreach, a concern that current Mayor Keith Wilson aims to address as tensions rise in Portland worrying about federal involvement in local matters.
Mayor Wilson stated his office is vigilant in monitoring any developments in Los Angeles, expressing a willingness to take legal action against federal overreach if necessary.
Recent conversations among Portland city councilors have highlighted a desire to restrict local police cooperation with federal officers at protests—a measure Avalos feels is necessary to protect the community.
“Our community is looking to us as elected leaders as a line of defense,” she asserted, demonstrating a commitment to formulating new policies that restrict local law enforcement’s engagement with federal forces during protests.
According to Blosser, the presence of federal authorities raises concerns about potential violence and unrest.
He emphasized that federal entities are typically not trained in crowd control and can often worsen an already tense environment.
In his reflection on the past, Blosser recalled that negotiations to conclude the federal deployment in 2020 involved finding common ground with representatives from the then-Vice President’s office, a dynamic absent in the current political landscape.
Additionally, the character of President Trump, in his second term, is seen as a complicating factor in the efforts to alleviate tensions.
Oregon’s Governor Tina Kotek expressed her apprehensions about the potential for activating national guard troops in response to protests.
Despite affirming her commitment to protecting all residents and communities, Kotek also made clear that illegal activities would confront local authorities rather than federal forces.
In Portland, the police response to current protests indicates a deliberate approach to de-escalation.
Police Chief Bob Day recently reaffirmed that Portland police would not engage with federal authorities in clearing roadblocks at protests like they did previously.
He emphasized the need for open communication with federal agencies, advocating for a self-managed local police approach.
The rising tensions from recent protests in Los Angeles have sparked memories among Portland’s protesters who recall the intensification of conflict during the previous federal deployments.
Dina, an organizer who chose not to disclose her last name, echoed the sentiments of fear and frustration, predicting that federal officers’ return would spark reactions reminiscent of those seen in Los Angeles.
“I don’t think the reaction here would look any different than what it’s looking like in L.A. right now, and honestly, that’s what I would hope,” she stated, encapsulating the troubling sentiment surrounding further federal involvement in local protests.
As Portland and California find themselves potentially on the brink of renewed unrest, officials are strategizing how best to protect their communities while navigating the complexities introduced by federal tactics and political rhetoric.
image source from：https://www.opb.org/article/2025/06/09/la-protests-concern-preparation-oregonians-2020-law-enforcement-portland-police/
