When Congresswoman Maxine Dexter attempted to paint a peaceful picture of Portland, she inadvertently highlighted a classic liberal tactic—emphasizing isolated instances to disprove broader, undeniable realities. In her post, she shared an image of what she claims is a calm scene to challenge statements made by former President Trump about the city. But, dear readers, let’s not be fooled by her selective snapshot of tranquility.

Now, it’s all well and good to showcase a quaint scene, perhaps a pocket park where the grass grows relatively unbothered. But let’s not pretend that finding a quiet corner here and there is indicative of the overall state of Portland. While it’s charming that grass can still grow in certain spots, improvements in the city’s crime statistics have shown that Portland has recorded the steepest drop in violent crime among all 68 major U.S. cities in the first half of 2025, with homicides down 51%, aggravated assaults down 18%, and robberies down 10%.

The truth is, just because parts of the city occasionally appear serene doesn’t mean all is well. A charming patch of greenery certainly exists, but it’s also important to acknowledge the significant improvements in safety metrics. Rather than creating distractions with cleverly framed photos, solutions should be sought.

In contrast, cities that are genuinely thriving do not have to rely on such selective presentations to depict normalcy. Instead, their overall safety, cleanliness, and community spirit can withstand even the most comprehensive scrutiny. Misleading imagery won’t change reality, and no amount of digital distractions should cloud the real issues that require attention.

If Dexter is truly committed to Portland, she should strive to address deeper problems rather than dismiss or gloss over them. Let’s make sure Portland’s story isn’t just a picturesque Instagram post but an honest account with tangible solutions. That, after all, would serve the people of Portland much more than a perfectly framed shot ever could.