In a press conference held on September 29, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell aimed to reassure residents regarding the potential illegal deployment of National Guard troops by President Donald Trump to cities like Portland. Given the recent tensions, particularly concerning the safety of immigrant and refugee communities, Harrell announced plans to issue an executive order in the coming days to outline the city’s strategies for protecting its residents.
“This president has no respect for the law. That’s why the courts have ruled against his deployment of the National Guard in Los Angeles,” Harrell asserted during the news conference. He characterized President Trump’s actions as unprecedented and unlawful, emphasizing that the deployment strategy in Portland—and potentially Seattle—was a serious concern for local officials and residents alike.
Though Trump has not formally announced intentions to send National Guard troops to Seattle, Harrell referenced media statements linking Seattle with Portland, suggesting a looming threat. Harrell noted, “They’ve made direct references to Seattle in different news accounts,” while urging that he had yet to receive any direct communication regarding specific plans.
The mayor assured attendees that the city had been actively collaborating with various community-based organizations to enhance the safety of immigrants and refugees, should President Trump attempt to carry out military deployments in the area. “We will communicate with one another. We will fight in court. We will use our community-based organizations,” Harrell added, emphasizing a collective resilience among local leaders and organizations.
Deputy Mayor Greg Wong also highlighted the city’s legal preparations, stating that the Mayor’s Office is closely coordinating with the City Attorney’s Office and Washington Attorney General Nick Brown’s office on available legal options. Brown elaborated further, indicating that while the president holds the legal authority to deploy National Guard troops, there are established protocols aimed at preventing misuse of this power.
One major point of contention is the necessity of coordination with the governor’s office, which Brown noted was overlooked in Trump’s decision regarding Portland. “There are legal requirements for the facts on the ground that need to exist to justify the mobilization of the National Guard, or, certainly, the use of the United States military troops,” he explained. This oversight, according to Brown, indicates a reckless approach to governance by President Trump.
In his comments, Brown mentioned that Trump’s announcement concerning the deployment of troops caught the Pentagon by surprise. He remarked, “It seems once again that he was watching a story or reading other things on Twitter, and that got him riled up, and then he made an announcement while on the golf course.” This observation pointed to a concerning trend where Trump appears disconnected from the operational realities of his own administration, as well as from communications with state and local leaders.
In response to Trump’s actions, Oregon has initiated a lawsuit to block the deployment of troops, with Washington state officials aligning their efforts with Oregon’s Attorney General’s office. Brown expressed concerns that redirecting National Guard personnel from their essential duties jeopardizes their readiness to respond to actual emergencies.
Washington’s preparedness strategy also includes collaboration with cities like Los Angeles, where a federal judge has already thwarted Trump’s attempts to send in the National Guard. Additionally, Memphis has been monitoring developments closely amid similar concerns.
Brown reflected on the broader implications of Trump’s tactics, suggesting that the president’s focus often seems directed towards punishing regions that opposed him politically. He stated, “I think the only thing consistent from the president’s policy is that he indeed is attacking the people in places that didn’t vote for him or that he views as in opposition to him.”
During a recent visit to Washington, D.C., Brown observed the National Guard in action. He noted that their presence there has not effectively addressed issues of crime or disorder. Instead, he remarked, “What the National Guard is doing right now in D.C. is mostly just walking around and patrolling and picking up trash and really not doing any of their core missions.” This observation reinforced concerns about the perceived misuse of military resources in civil settings.
Brown reaffirmed that Washington state possesses strong legal protections for undocumented immigrants, emphasizing that, “not a damn thing has changed in Washington state law in eight months, despite the executive orders.” He assured listeners that legal protections continue to be robust and will be enforced vigorously to safeguard individuals’ rights.
However, he acknowledged the psychological impact of such threats, stating, “But I also recognize that fear is the point. Fear is the point from this White House.” Brown expressed disappointment in the current administration’s tone, describing it as laden with vitriol and tension that serves to instill fear in marginalized communities across the nation.
The pressing matter of the National Guard’s potential deployment has sparked widespread discussion among Seattle’s leaders and community organizations, signaling a united front against any attempts to undermine local governance and the rights of vulnerable populations.
image source from：nwasianweekly
