PORTLAND, Ore. (KPTV) — Oregon officials and Portland city leaders urged the community to remain calm and peaceful on Friday evening after reports of an increased presence of federal agents in the city.
Leaders Warn Against Escalation
At a press conference, Senator Jeff Merkley joined Portland Mayor Keith Wilson, Representative Maxine Dexter, city council members, and local clergy to address residents. Merkley accused the President of deliberately sending agents to stir unrest.
“Here is what I do know — the President has sent agents here to create chaos and riots in Portland, to induce a reaction,” Merkley said. “His goal is to make Portland look as he was describing it. Our job is to say, ‘We are not going to take the bait.’”
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The call for peace comes as tensions rise over what many see as an unnecessary federal escalation in a city already dealing with political divisions and economic challenges.
Federal Agents Spotted Across Portland
Earlier Friday, a FOX 12 crew observed unusual activity outside the U.S. Customs and Border Protection building in northeast Portland. Dozens of people were seen gathering in the back parking lot before departing in several convoys of large SUVs.
While some wore shirts identifying themselves as federal officers, many were plainclothed. Witnesses noted that as soon as news cameras appeared, agents pulled on masks and lowered visors to obscure their identities.
The agency’s Portland office declined to comment on the movements, and requests for comment from Customs and Border Protection headquarters in Washington, D.C., have gone unanswered.
Convoys Move Between Federal Facilities
Following tips from the community, FOX 12 reporters tracked the convoys to other government buildings. SUVs were spotted entering parking areas at both the Edith Green Federal Building downtown and the ICE facility on South Macadam Avenue.
The convoys appeared to be the same groups that had departed the northeast Portland facility earlier in the day. Their coordinated movements fueled concerns that the federal presence in the city is being significantly ramped up.
Trump’s Threats and Local Reaction
The developments come after repeated threats from President Donald Trump to send more federal agents into Portland. He has described the city as being in “anarchy” and called it a “living hellscape.”
Several of Oregon’s congressional delegates recently toured the ICE facility in South Portland to assess the situation firsthand. Congresswoman Janelle Bynum criticized the move as political theater, saying it does little to address the needs of residents.
“My office is hearing reports that Trump is significantly increasing the presence of ICE in Oregon,” Bynum said. “The last time he tried this, we sent him packing. We don’t want or need this. If he wants to help Portland, he needs to stop playing these games and focus on lowering costs and undoing his disastrous cuts to our healthcare.”
Calls for Unity and Peaceful Response
Local clergy and community leaders echoed the call for nonviolence. They warned that confrontations with federal agents could play into political narratives and worsen conditions for Portland residents.
Mayor Wilson urged Portlanders to remain focused on solutions that build trust, not division. “We cannot allow our city to be used as a stage for political conflict,” he said. “Our strength lies in coming together as a community, peacefully and with resolve.”
As federal activity continues to increase, Oregon leaders say their priority is protecting Portlanders while avoiding unnecessary escalation. For now, they are urging the community to remain watchful but resist provocation.
