(Substack)—It wasn’t too long ago when I was very concerned about federal law enforcement agencies and military troops being sent to Democrat-run hellholes like Memphis, Chicago, and Portland. My concern was that if the citizens didn’t rise up and demand such actions from their local leaders, that the effects of federal moves would be limited and fleeting. I also understand the slippery slope of such actions, especially in a tit-for-tat reversal in which a future Democrat president uses these moves as precedent to crack down on manufactured “right-wing domestic terrorists” or worse yet, “thought criminals.”
I’ve changed my mind. It doesn’t happen often but I have no problem acknowledging it when it does. In certain circumstances and for certain cities, the need to defend the people and property they’ve worked so hard to own supersedes my slippery slope concerns. It’s bad out there and getting worse. And it’s spreading.
Portland, Oregon, has become a symbol of what happens when leftist policies let criminals run wild. Even as city officials pat themselves on the back for a dip in homicides—down 51% in the first half of 2025, from 35 to 17 according to the Major Cities Chiefs Association’s midyear report—the streets tell a different story.
Property crimes remain sky-high, with rates hitting 59.8 per 1,000 residents, including motor vehicle thefts at 13.4 per 1,000, nearly four times the national average. Drug offenses have exploded by 278% in the same period, fueling addiction and disorder that spill over into everyday life. Just last month, the Gateway Fred Meyer store shut its doors for good, citing rampant theft and safety concerns. This isn’t progress; it’s a city still gripped by lawlessness, where residents can’t even shop without fearing for their wallets or their lives.
Local cops and state troopers are the real heroes here, but they’re handcuffed by Democrat-run governments that starve them of resources. Portland Police Bureau officers have been vocal about their frustrations—understaffed, underfunded, and lacking the training and equipment to tackle the surge in organized theft rings and drug-fueled violence.
It’s understandable that frustrated sheriffs, police chiefs, and state troopers see their hands tied—they know where crime is happening, they know what needs to be done, but they lack authorization or backing from legislative leadership to get it done.
Mayor Keith Wilson’s administration has poured money into “community-based violence prevention” programs like youth mentoring and environmental design projects, but that’s no substitute for boots on the ground enforcing the law. State lawmakers have tied law enforcement’s hands with sanctuary policies that block cooperation with federal immigration authorities, even as assaults on ICE officers in Portland have skyrocketed by nearly 700% this year. Officers report being doxxed by anarchist groups like Rose City Counter-Info, with their names, photos, and addresses plastered online, inviting harassment and worse. When local leaders prioritize “compassion” over consequences, it’s no wonder cops feel like they’re fighting with one arm tied behind their back.
Cities like Chicago and Memphis face the same rot—high violent crime rates, overwhelmed police departments, and politicians more interested in virtue signaling than public safety. In Chicago, federal agents have already clashed with protesters outside ICE facilities, firing pepper balls and tear gas to protect buildings under siege. Memphis is bracing for National Guard deployment amid similar chaos. These aren’t isolated incidents; they’re the result of years of soft-on-crime policies that let gangs and radicals dictate the rules.
Federal intervention in these cases isn’t about overreach—it’s about filling the void left by local failures. President Trump’s directive to send troops to safeguard ICE buildings in Portland, where attacks on officers have surged over 1,000% since January 2025, is a direct response to this breakdown. Without federal backup, these cities risk descending further into anarchy, where businesses flee, families suffer, and law-abiding citizens pay the price.
Of course, unleashing federal law enforcement comes with risks—we don’t want a slippery slope where Washington micromanages every street corner, eroding states’ rights and turning America into a police state. Overuse could breed resentment, stifle local innovation, and set precedents that future administrations abuse for political gain. But in isolated hotspots like Portland, where rampant protests turn violent nightly outside federal facilities and local authorities refuse to act, it’s not just justified—it’s essential to restore order and protect lives.
Portland and its sister cities in crisis need help, and they need it now. Federal forces can provide the surge in personnel and authority that local teams lack, cracking down on the worst offenders and giving communities a chance to rebuild. It’s time to prioritize safety over ideology, enforce the laws on the books, and make these streets livable again. If Democrat leaders won’t step up, the feds must.