Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell declared the city is prepared to contest any efforts by President Donald Trump to deploy federal troops or the National Guard, labeling such actions as unconstitutional and unwarranted. In a recent interview, Harrell stated, “Yes, we have already initiated three lawsuits against the Trump administration. Based on the advice of our city attorney, we are united with the governor and the Attorney General in ensuring that this president does not infringe upon the 10th Amendment, which serves as a guard against federal overreach. We are ready for this challenge.”
The Trump administration has defended its federal presence in Washington, D.C., as a response to crime and illegal immigration, with plans to extend similar measures to cities such as New York and Chicago. Harrell pointed out that Seattle has experienced a drop in crime rates across all major categories, asserting that the notion of federal intervention is unjustified.
“Our crime rates are down in all major categories—serious crimes, homicides, and shots fired have all decreased,” he said. “To suggest that military involvement is necessary when we’ve made such significant progress in public safety is unfounded. We are a safer city, and we are actively working on police recruitment and employing smart, constitutional technology to protect our residents.”
The mayor noted that there has been no direct communication with the Trump administration regarding potential troop deployments, adding, “As is typical with this administration, we often learn about their intentions through tweets or social media rather than direct communication.”
Harrell reaffirmed his administration’s readiness to respond to federal overreach through legal means and community partnerships. He highlighted Seattle’s commitment to being an inclusive city for immigrants and refugees, instructing police to adhere to state law and refrain from involvement in federal immigration enforcement. He also expressed concern that the presence of federal troops would only serve to heighten tensions in the city. “Seattle will remain a welcoming city, especially for immigrants, refugees, and women seeking reproductive healthcare,” he emphasized.
Alongside Governor Bob Ferguson and Attorney General Nick Brown, Harrell is working to safeguard the rights of Seattle residents against federal encroachment through both legal action and community initiatives. His comments come in response to recent remarks from Donald Trump Jr., who referred to Seattle and Portland as “craphole cities” during an interview with Newsmax, discussing the President’s federal takeover in Washington, D.C. Harrell confirmed ongoing coordination with Ferguson and Brown to maintain a united front on this issue.
