Portland’s police union president says he’s open to getting federal help as the city faces what he called a “burst” in violent crime.
President Donald Trump has already signaled he wants to deploy National Guard units to Portland to protect the city and nearby ICE facilities, which he claims have come under attack by Antifa.
“At the request of Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, I am directing Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to provide all necessary Troops to protect war-ravaged Portland, and any of our ICE Facilities under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “I am also authorizing Full Force, if necessary.”
Camilla Wamsley, who heads Portland’s ICE office, told Fox News that agents have endured violence for over 100 straight nights — including bottle rockets, barricades, and lasers targeting officers. She said city police have been ordered not to assist.
Sgt. Aaron Schmautz, president of the Portland Police Association, said he’s ready to work with federal agencies to find solutions.
“Let’s present what resources we have to bring to bear to accomplish that task,” Schmautz told Fox News Digital. “And if it’s not sufficient, then we need help.”
He added that Portland’s police force is “horrifically understaffed” and struggling to keep up with surging crime, while facing hostility from some city leaders. “There is a lot of very, very anti-police rhetoric in our city council meetings,” he said.
Schmautz noted that homicides in Portland have skyrocketed — increasing fivefold from 2020 to 2023. “We’re kind of slowly receding,” he said, “although we’ve had nine last month.”
The union leader also expressed concern for the safety of federal law enforcement officers across the country following a string of attacks.
“I am extraordinarily sympathetic to how concerned and afraid federal officers are,” he said. “There was a shooting in Dallas at an ICE facility. There are federal officers being hit by cars. It’s one thing to have policy discussions — but no one should be OK with violence directed at anyone.”