Eugene Mayor Kaarin Knudson, along with 17 other mayors from across Oregon, voiced strong opposition on Monday to President Donald Trump’s plan to deploy National Guard troops to Portland.
During a press conference in Portland, Knudson emphasized, “Oregonians do not want or need federal troops deployed in our cities — in Portland, or anywhere else.”
She stated unequivocally, “There is no emergency, no insurrection, and no disaster taking place in Portland.”
The mayors, under the leadership of Portland’s Mayor Keith Wilson, signed a joint statement denouncing the federal government’s militarization efforts in Oregon.
They pledged to take all legal measures necessary to counter the deployment, asserting their intent to protect the civil rights of their communities.
The statement included commitments to submitting public records requests regarding federal immigration activities, advocating for human rights observers, and requiring that federal agents identify themselves clearly and abide by local laws regarding the use of force.
Although Knudson’s name initially appeared on the statement, it was later removed due to a misunderstanding regarding organizational protocol.
Knudson explained that she supported the spirit of the statement but encountered logistical challenges in coordinating the city’s response to the press conference, with only 24 hours of notice.
She noted, “There are aspects of that statement that when translated into the city of Eugene, overlap between the responsibilities of the mayor and the city council and the city manager. That naturally takes process with integrity in order to come to a decision about.”
The mayors who supported the statement represent a diverse set of communities throughout the state including Beaverton, Cornelius, and Hillsboro among others.
On the previous Sunday, Governor Tina Kotek received a Department of Defense memo indicating plans for the deployment of 200 Oregon National Guard members for a duration of 60 days.
The troops are tasked with the protection of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel, especially in areas where protests are expected.
The deployment comes in light of ongoing tensions and protests related to immigration enforcement in Portland, where anti-ICE demonstrations have garnered attention since the summer.
Oregon officials, immediately after receiving the deployment memo, filed a lawsuit to halt the federal plans.
As the National Guard troops are expected to arrive on Thursday, Knudson’s remarks at the press conference underscored the necessity for a focus on federal support for healthcare, affordable housing, and infrastructure, instead of military presence.
She elaborated, “We are on the ground every day, and the federal resources that could help us to meet the full range of Americans’ needs have been receding and not advancing.”
The desire to redirect federal efforts towards pressing local needs stands in contrast to the perception of Portland painted by the Trump administration.
President Trump has previously expressed a keen interest in federalizing troops in cities experiencing unrest, identifying Portland as a key location due to its ongoing anti-ICE protests.
State and local leaders argue that the characterization of Portland as a city in chaos is exaggerated and based on selective portrayals of events from past protests in 2020.
Additionally, recent gatherings opposing ICE have been relatively small, with reports indicating attendance of only several dozen demonstrators.
In Eugene, a federal office housing ICE has also seen protests. Last week, three arrests were made at an anti-ICE protest, which was reportedly attended by individuals from Portland.
Knudson addressed the situation in her city, affirming that peaceful protest is a constitutional right, while maintaining that Eugene police would only intervene in instances of threats to public safety or illegal activity.
Expressing no immediate concern regarding the potential deployment of armed forces in Eugene, Knudson remarked, “Bringing the United States military into cities to engage with American citizens is not something that is laid out within our laws in this circumstance and in any circumstance seen for many, many, many years in this country.”
During the press conference, the mayor painted an optimistic picture of Eugene, describing it as a “pretty charming place” with vibrant community activities like farmers markets and local arts.
She asserted that public safety and quality of life metrics in Eugene have shown significant improvement.
“What measurable and meaningful looks like on the ground in communities is the work that we need to focus on,” shared Knudson.
In a post-2024 election statement, Knudson reaffirmed her commitment to fostering a safe and inclusive city where every individual feels valued.
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