Bulwark Takes: "Trump Threatens Troops for Portland"

Host: Lauren Egan (The Bulwark)
Guest: Dan Rayfield (Oregon Attorney General)
Release Date: September 28, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Lauren Egan interviews Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield regarding former President Donald Trump's recent threats to deploy federal troops and potentially federalize the National Guard in Portland, Oregon. Prompted by a sensational post on Truth Social, this episode addresses the realities on the ground, the legal and political implications of federal intervention, and the disconnect between portrayals on social media and actual public safety in Portland. Rayfield details Oregon's legal response, draws parallels to similar situations in California, and discusses the broader themes of political theater, leadership, and public safety.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Situation in Portland vs. Presidential Portrayal

• Discrepancy Between Perception and Reality:

  • Rayfield highlights the wide gap between what is depicted in Trump's social media posts and on-the-ground realities in Portland.
  • Oregon leadership is emphasizing facts and local authority, insisting that conditions do not justify military intervention.

• Quote:

  “The President has made and formed an opinion on social media and that's basically how he's deciding how to interact in this world, which is not the best basis to provide leadership to a country via social media.” — Dan Rayfield [00:47]

2. Legal and Political Maneuvering

• Federalization Threat:

  • Trump threatened to federalize the Oregon National Guard unless the governor consents to mobilization for “public safety.” The Governor refused.
  • Rayfield describes detailed legal preparations to respond to any move to deploy federal troops, seeking to secure a temporary restraining order and, if necessary, an injunction.

• Reference to California Precedent:

  • Rayfield refers to a similar scenario that played out earlier in Los Angeles, where state legal action successfully curtailed federal intervention. Oregon plans to adopt the same legal strategy.

• Quote:

  “If the Trump administration moves forward here in Oregon, we'll do the exact same thing.” — Dan Rayfield [02:14]

3. The Impact on Oregon Officials and Citizens

• Urgency and Disruption:

  • Rayfield portrays how Trump's communications abruptly disrupt normalcy, triggering immediate legal mobilization and the cancellation of staff’s personal plans.
  • The Oregon Department of Justice had planned in advance for such an event since Trump’s inauguration.

• Quote:

  “There are attorneys at the Oregon Department of Justice, staff members...canceling their weekend plans...so that we can be ready...because what's going on in Portland is not what the president thinks.” — Dan Rayfield [03:29]

4. Next Steps: Legal Action and Messaging

• Preparedness:

  • Oregon is ready to file suit and seek judicial intervention if there is any federal movement.
  • The state aims to debunk the federal narrative by illustrating the absence of any situation warranting military force.

• Legal Thresholds Explained:

  • The use of the military is restricted to clear conditions (rebellion, insurrection, inability to enforce law); none are met in Portland’s case.

• Quote:

  “Should they move forward, we will file a lawsuit and we will seek an immediate temporary restraining order...None of those conditions have been met here in Oregon.” — Dan Rayfield [04:58]

5. Motivations and Political Theater

• Cynicism About Federal Motive:

  • Rayfield accuses Trump of political showmanship, using the spectacle for a “social media contest” rather than genuine public safety concern.
  • He posits that, if truly interested in public safety, the administration would seek collaboration and offer substantive support (behavioral health, healthcare, crime victims’ assistance), not military action.

• Quote:

  “This is going to be the National Guard, US Military troops sitting on their butts in Portland doing nothing.” — Dan Rayfield [06:18]
  “It's a waste of effort purely for a political aim.” — Dan Rayfield [07:25]

6. Restraint and Civil Society Responses

• Deliberate De-escalation:

  • Oregon leadership has urged restraint and lawful protest, communicating consistently with activist and civil society groups to avoid giving Trump the spectacle he seeks.
  • Law enforcement holds accountable the minority crossing legal lines, but most activism remains peaceful.

• Quote:

  “We want people to exercise their freedom of speech...But you still got to follow the laws in the state.” — Dan Rayfield [08:18]

7. ICE Facilities and Protest Activity

• Situation at ICE Facilities:
  • Contrary to claims of chaos, Rayfield reports a decrease in protest activity at ICE facilities since June, with only about two dozen arrests, all manageable by local authorities.
  • He distinguishes Portland from recent violent events elsewhere (e.g., the shooting at a Dallas ICE facility), emphasizing local control.

8. Broader Political Context and Democratic Strategy

• GOP Rhetoric and Democratic Responses:

  • Portland is used as shorthand by Republicans to criticize Democratic governance, but Rayfield asserts that such criticism is inevitable given Trump’s brand.
  • The real responsibility, he argues, is for Democratic leaders to articulate and realize a clear vision while resisting divisive leadership tactics.

• Quote:

  “You have a president that's leading through fear, not bringing people together. That's not what this country needs.” — Dan Rayfield [12:20]

Notable Timestamps & Quotes

• 00:47: Discrepancy between social media narratives and on-the-ground reality (Rayfield)
• 02:14: Parallel legal strategy to California situation (Rayfield)
• 03:29: Immediate legal mobilization, canceled weekend plans for DOJ staff (Rayfield)
• 04:58: Explanation of legal steps and thresholds for military deployment (Rayfield)
• 06:18: Critique of Trump’s approach and real public safety needs (Rayfield)
• 07:25: “It's a waste of effort purely for a political aim.” (Rayfield)
• 08:18: Unified call for lawful protest and accountability (Rayfield)
• 12:20: “You have a president that's leading through fear, not bringing people together.” (Rayfield)

Summary & Tone

Throughout the conversation, the tone is urgent, factual, and somewhat exasperated. Rayfield persistently refutes the Trump administration’s claims, emphasizing the rule of law, readiness to act, and his belief in local governance over federal spectacle. The episode candidly details legal and political strategies while underlining the disconnect between explosive presidential rhetoric and Portland’s daily reality.

For listeners seeking clarity on federal-state tensions, media narratives, and the defensive posture of Oregon’s Democratic leadership, this episode offers both explanation and a sharp critique of politicized displays of force.