Standing on the seventh floor of City Hall, Seattle Mayor Harrell addressed the media on Monday, asserting, “There is no insurrection here.”
His statement was a direct response to President Donald Trump’s recent announcement to deploy federal troops to various cities, including Portland, in an effort to manage protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Harrell’s message was unequivocal: he urged the federal government to withhold sending troops to Seattle, highlighting the peaceful nature of the city’s streets below.
Joined by local officials, including members of the Seattle City Council, Harrell emphasized the importance of local control and community safety without the need for federal intervention.
“We do not need the federal government bringing in armored vehicles, semi-automatic weapons, [or] military personnel to make, quote, unquote, us safer,” Harrell stated.
The mayor revealed plans to issue an executive order soon, reaffirming Seattle’s commitment to protect immigrant and refugee communities and ensure that local law enforcement retains control over its operations.
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson echoed Harrell’s sentiments, expressing his opposition to the militarization of the streets. In an email to KUOW, Ferguson mentioned that he had communicated with state officials and was set to meet with the Washington National Guard that day.
Ferguson noted, “My team and I have been preparing for this possibility for some time. We do not need or want the president to militarize our streets.”
President Donald Trump had earlier characterized Portland as a “war-ravaged” city, justifying his decision to send troops as a means to quell protests occurring outside federal buildings.
In a post on Bluesky, Harrell indicated that he had reached out to Portland Mayor Keith Wilson, highlighting a united front between the two cities against attempts to suppress free speech and intimidate citizens.
Governor Ferguson’s spokesperson referred to a bill he signed last year, HB 1321, which prevents other states from sending their National Guard troops into Washington but does not hinder the president from activating the Washington National Guard for federal service.
Meanwhile, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler’s team, in collaboration with Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield, prepared a lawsuit against the White House regarding the troop deployment.
“Our team here has a great deal of experience in preparing and researching these issues, and we want to make sure that if any unlawful and unconstitutional actions happen, that we will be prepared to respond,” Mayor Wheeler stated.
Wheeler underlined that before President Trump could order the National Guard’s deployment, he was supposed to consult with the governor’s office for proper justification—something that did not occur in Los Angeles when troops were sent previously.
Both Harrell and Wheeler affirmed their commitment to protect the constitutional rights of their residents and ensure that any actions taken by the federal government in response to protests would be scrutinized closely, potentially leading to legal actions if deemed unjustified.
The stance taken by Seattle and Portland leaders reflects a broader pushback against federal military presence in cities struggling with peaceful protests, highlighting the ongoing tensions between state and federal authority.
image source from：kuow
