Portland City Council member and Army veteran, Mitch Green, is calling on both current and former members of the U.S. military to voice their opposition against President Donald Trump’s anticipated deployment of the National Guard in Portland. In a video statement shared by his office, Green described the situation as an "illegal and unprecedented assault on our civil rights by the Trump administration." Dressed in his Army fatigues, Green delivered his message from Terry Schrunk Plaza, a federally-owned park located adjacent to Portland City Hall.
Representing District 4, which encompasses downtown Portland and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office building in South Portland—a site that has seen numerous protests—Green has become a vocal critic of the federal government's actions. President Trump has cited these ongoing protests as justification for the planned National Guard deployment. In response, Councilor Green is urging active-duty military personnel to reflect on their oath to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic."
In his statement, Green emphasized that this oath does not equate to absolute obedience to the President. "You have not only the right, but the duty to disobey an unlawful order," he asserted. He encouraged service members and veterans to don their uniforms and join protests against the deployment in Portland, highlighting the importance of civic engagement. "I’m asking you to engage in that sense of duty cultivated while in service, and use your voice to speak out," he said.
As one of the more progressive members of the Portland City Council and a participant in the Democratic Socialists of America, Green has consistently criticized President Trump’s policies since assuming office in January. Earlier in July, he expressed to OPB his readiness to face arrest if it meant defending the city against what he perceives as federal overreach. "I feel an obligation to this city to be someone who, when this moment comes, takes that risk instead of rolling over for an authoritarian," Green stated at the time.
Green is not alone in his military background on the council. Fellow District 4 Councilor Eric Zimmerman also served in the Army and is a member of the Oregon National Guard. However, he has opted not to comment on the current situation. The call to action from Councilor Green reflects a broader concern among many Portland residents regarding the implications of military involvement in local governance and civil rights.
