President Donald Trump has announced plans to send the National Guard to Portland, similar to the deployments seen during the height of the 2020 protests.
However, the current situation in Portland presents a drastically different backdrop.
Protests against ICE raids may be ongoing in 2025, but their scope and intensity pale in comparison to the significant unrest that erupted following George Floyd’s death.
As a result, many observers are questioning whether this latest military presence is truly necessary or is merely serving as an unwanted sequel to 2020 events.
During the original deployment, Portland was the site of chaotic demonstrations with frequent clashes between protesters and law enforcement.
Violence peaked in August 2020, culminating in the tragic shooting of Aaron “Jay” Danielson by Michael Reinoehl, a self-identified anti-fascist.
Reinoehl was later killed in a confrontation with U.S. Marshals, adding to the city’s turbulent narrative.
Fast forward to 2025, and the situation in Portland has transformed.
The current protests over ICE actions do not evoke the same fervor as those of the George Floyd protests, suggesting a shift in public sentiment and civic action.
In the wake of the previous unrest, Portland’s progressive leaders and voters had committed to radical reforms that included defunding the police by $15 million and decriminalizing drugs.
This new approach aimed to create a more peaceful civic order, but soon collided with harsh realities.
The city faced a severe homelessness crisis, intensified by drug decriminalization coinciding with the nationwide fentanyl epidemic.
Consequently, crime rates surged, fentanyl overdoses increased, and civic disorder became part of daily life.
As the pandemic caused office vacancies in Portland to rise above 30%, the city’s reputation as a model of urban progress took a significant hit, becoming a national punchline.
Yet Portland’s story is not solely one of decline.
Like other liberal cities on the West Coast, including San Francisco and Seattle, Portland has recently taken steps to correct its course.
The city has restored police funding and recriminalized some drugs, resulting in a notable decrease in violent crime.
According to preliminary figures from the Major Cities Chiefs Association, the city recorded 17 homicides in the first half of 2025, leading to a remarkable 51% drop in the homicide rate compared to the same period the previous year.
This contrasts starkly with Memphis, where there were 145 murder victims in just eight months, highlighting the varying challenges cities face.
Despite persistent issues with homelessness and commercial real estate vacancies, it is evident that Portland is no longer caught in a serious crime wave.
While the upcoming deployment of the National Guard has raised concerns, it has not all been negative.
In recent deployments in D.C., troops have engaged in community service projects that contribute positively to society.
From clearing trash to operating soup kitchens, these efforts reflect a need for constructive initiatives rather than coercive military presence.
This suggests that cities like Portland could benefit from a modern Conservation Corps, focused on employing young people to engage in civic restoration and infrastructure improvements.
There is a notable irony in President Trump’s decision to dispatch federal troops for community service efforts, as such initiatives would likely face criticism if proposed by a Democratic administration.
When the labor is performed by soldiers in fatigues under Trump’s direct command, however, the narrative shifts, framing it as a celebrated initiative.
Ultimately, this presents a scenario that mirrors a skit from the show Portlandia, where soldiers are commandeered for civic duties once thought to be the realm of progressive activists.
In the end, the question remains: Does the deployment of National Guard really address Portland’s needs, or does it merely represent a return to a style of governing that many had hoped to move beyond?
image source from：unherd
