WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., ignited controversy this week after referring to Portland and Seattle as “craphole cities” during a Newsmax interview, while suggesting the possibility of a federal takeover of police forces in the Pacific Northwest.
Trump Jr. Suggests Expansion of Federal Control
Speaking to Newsmax on Thursday, Trump Jr. linked the administration’s federal control of the Washington, D.C., police force to potential similar actions in other cities.
“Maybe we should roll out the tour to Portland, Seattle, the other craphole cities of the country,” he said. “Not because they’re crapholes but because Democrats made them so. Maybe we’re going to expand this.”
His comments came as federal troops and agents remain deployed across Washington, D.C., following President Trump’s decision earlier this month to send the National Guard into the capital. The president claimed, without providing evidence, that crime in D.C. had spiraled out of control.
Echoes of Past Rhetoric
Trump Jr.’s remarks drew comparisons to the uproar in 2018, when President Trump was reported to have described Haiti and several African nations as “s—hole countries.” Trump denied making those comments, but the language became a flashpoint in political debate.
During the Newsmax interview, Trump Jr. repeated his father’s frequent claim that murder rates are “through the roof” in Democratic-run cities.
Crime Trends Tell a Different Story
While Trump Jr. painted Portland and Seattle as cities overwhelmed by crime, recent statistics tell a more complex story.
According to the Major City Chiefs Association, both cities have seen significant declines in homicides and shootings over the past year:
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Portland: Killings dropped 51% in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. The decline follows record highs in 2021 and 2022.
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Seattle: Homicides decreased by about one-third in the same time frame, reflecting similar downward trends in violent crime.
Local officials argue that these numbers contradict the national narrative often pushed by Trump allies.
Portland and Seattle in the Spotlight
President Trump has long singled out Portland as a target of criticism. Last summer, prior to the election, he described the city as “destroyed.”
This week, his border czar, Tom Homan, visited Portland, though the purpose of the trip has not been fully disclosed. The administration has signaled that Portland and Seattle may face greater federal scrutiny in the coming months.
Attention Shifts to Chicago
On Friday, the Associated Press reported that President Trump indicated his next focus would be Chicago, as part of what the administration calls a crackdown on violent crime in America’s cities.
The potential expansion of federal control raises new questions about the balance between local and federal authority in policing — and whether cities like Portland and Seattle, despite improving crime trends, will be drawn into a broader political battle.
Community Reaction
Trump Jr.’s characterization of Portland and Seattle drew swift criticism from civic leaders and residents who said his rhetoric demeans cities working to address complex issues. Advocates for local control stressed that data shows progress is being made without the need for federal intervention.
“Federal troops don’t solve community issues,” one Portland resident said. “Investments in housing, education, and mental health do.”
As the administration continues to weigh its next moves, the debate over crime, politics, and local governance is likely to intensify in the weeks ahead.
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