Inside Trump’s Explosive Press Conference: Vowing to End Portland’s ‘Hell’ with National Guard Intervention Amid Raging Protests
On September 5, 2025, President Donald Trump delivered a fiery press conference from the Oval Office, broadcast live on C-SPAN, where he issued one of his strongest warnings yet about unrest in Portland, Oregon. Speaking with a mix of shock and determination, he described the city as being “like living in hell,” after watching televised coverage the night before that he said revealed the ongoing destruction. “Portland, it’s unbelievable what’s going on, the destruction of the city,” Trump declared, adding that he knew people who had already left because of the conditions. His remarks put Portland back in the national spotlight, raising questions about whether federal troops will soon be sent there.
The comments came in the aftermath of large Labor Day demonstrations in Portland on September 1. Thousands took to the streets in “Workers Over Billionaires” rallies, marching across the Burnside Bridge and gathering at Tom McCall Waterfront Park. Protesters voiced concerns over wealth inequality, immigration policy, and corporate power, with groups like the Unpresidented Brass Band providing a festival-like atmosphere. Many supported local vendors and food carts along the way. However, the tone shifted as the marches approached the ICE building, where demonstrators erected a mock guillotine. Federal agents responded with tear gas to disperse the crowd, leading to clashes, smashed windows, and multiple arrests. Portland police declared at least one gathering a riot before moving in to restore order.
The president’s language reflected his long-standing criticism of left-wing unrest. Trump accused certain groups of being “paid agitators” who were “very dangerous for our country,” suggesting the violence was coordinated rather than organic. He went further, stating, “We’ll be able to stop that very easily,” and strongly hinted at a National Guard deployment. “We’re going to go into another place and straighten it out,” he said. “When we go there, if we go to Portland, we’re going to wipe them out.” His comments mark a shift, as Portland was not previously confirmed among the list of cities under active consideration for Guard deployments. Just days earlier, on August 29, he had cited Chicago and New York as examples of cities that might need federal intervention.
For Oregon leaders, the prospect of federal troops stirs painful memories. Governor Tina Kotek and other officials quickly issued a joint letter urging the administration to stay back, stressing that Oregon is capable of handling its own public safety challenges. Violent crime rates in Portland have actually declined this year, but the intensity of the recent demonstrations has reignited tensions that echo the events of 2020, when federal agents in unmarked vans clashed with protesters downtown. Critics argue another intervention could escalate rather than resolve unrest.
Trump, however, has already shown a willingness to deploy federal forces elsewhere. National Guard units were sent to Washington, D.C., earlier this summer for crime prevention, and he signed an executive order creating rapid-response units to handle public disorder nationwide. In interviews, he has kept his timeline vague, saying only, “We’re going in—I didn’t say when.” His message, though, remains consistent: he views the Guard as essential to protecting communities from what he calls “destructive elements.”
For Portland residents, the uncertainty continues. The city’s resilience has been tested before, and while many of the Labor Day gatherings were peaceful expressions of unity and civic engagement, the flare-ups near federal facilities cast a shadow over the events. Community voices stress that dialogue and reform, not force, will pave the way to long-term peace. Whether Trump follows through on his warning remains to be seen, but the tension between federal authority and local autonomy is once again center stage.
As of September 6, no new deployment orders have been issued, but Trump’s warning ensures Portland is firmly in the national conversation. With the memory of past clashes still fresh, residents and leaders alike are left to weigh the possibility of another confrontation between federal power and local protest.
