‘Less is more’: Chief Barnes praises Seattle Police ushering peaceful ‘No Kings’ protest

When approximately 70,000 people took to the streets of Seattle to participate in a “No Kings” rally against the Trump administration, Seattle Police had a tall task in ensuring everything went smoothly and peacefully.

“What is your message to the (department) to be successful with such a big turnout like that?” KIRO host Ursula Reutin asked Shon Barnes, the Chief of the Seattle Police Department (SPD).

“The message was simple, less is more,” Barnes said on “The Gee and Ursula Show.” “We don’t get involved unless we absolutely have to. We have an operational plan. We try to communicate with people before, during, and after events.”

The department issued officers from its Police Outreach and Engagement Team (POET) to take time to connect with organizers in advance, while also being present during the rally. When the daytime demonstration concluded, no reports of property damage or injuries were made.

The tail of the #NoKingsProtest has just left Cal Anderson. That’s over 1.5 miles full of people and not a single report of property damage. pic.twitter.com/UXDFxQPDGY

— Seattle Police Department (@SeattlePD) June 14, 2025

“We had no arrests, we had no uses of force. People were thanking us along the parade route when they saw us for being there,” Barnes said. “People were thanking us for allowing them to be able to come here and say their piece. And again, we’re neutral in it. We’re just people who are trying to facilitate free speech. We don’t have a say either way, and I think people really appreciate that.”

A separate demonstration took place Saturday night in downtown Seattle. The group gathered in front of the federal building downtown, lighting fires and blocking traffic. Four people were arrested once the dust settled.

None of the four people arrested are believed to be Seattle residents. They’re accused of assault, obstructing a public officer, and intimidating a public official.

“I don’t know if I would put those two events together,” Barnes said. “I think we saw people who made the federal property a flash point, and for those people who are listening, please don’t do that because it’s federal property, and they have their own police departments. If you are arrested, you will be subject to some federal charges. If they wanted to stand out there and protest, that’s fine, but doing things like setting scooters on fire, yeah, we can’t allow that because that’s not an exercise of free speech. That’s a safety issue, and we want to make sure that it is safe for everyone.”

Barnes, SPD pitted against the Trump administration

Barnes stated that Washington state law prohibits SPD from being involved in ICE immigration aids, just as SPD is barred from collecting information about immigration status. Last week, Barnes said he expects to be jailed by the Trump administration for standing up for First Amendment rights amid ICE protests.

“I just wanted people to know my commitment and what that commitment is to the City of Seattle,” Barnes said after being asked what brought on his comments on being jailed. ” I’ve been in a position to protect people, whether it was at school or with my friends or with what I was taught from my father. That’s kind of why I chose to go into policing.”

Barnes added that, while it’s not his personal philosophy, Washington state law is the law he must abide by.

“If the National Guard were to come here to Seattle, is there a plan in place between you and the officers of SPD?” KIRO host Gee Scott asked.

“If the National Guard or Army, whoever it is deployed by the president, their responsibility is to guard federal property and or assist in guarding federal employees in doing their work,” Barnes answered. “So, if that’s the case, they would not really have any interference with day-to-day operations of the police department.”

Recruiting efforts to expand SPD staff

The SPD is hiring approximately six times more officers this year compared with the same period in 2024, according to Axios.

“Year to date, we’ve hired 87 police officers. Last year, in 2024 from January to December, we had hired 87,” Barnes shared. “So, halfway through the year, we’re at 87. Last year, we had a net of one. This year, we have a net of 47.”

Barnes said he is pushing the department to hire 200 police officers.

‘Shout out to our HR department, shout out to our background investigation investigators,” Barnes said. “They’re there, hard at work, and they were gracious enough to speak with me for a couple of minutes, but I want to encourage them for the hard work that they’re doing.”

Listen to the full conversation here.

Listen to Gee and Ursula on “The Gee and Ursula Show” weekday mornings from 9 am to 12 pm on KIRO Newsradio.