A federal judge issued a temporary block on Sunday against the Trump administration’s deployment of National Guard units to Oregon, including the California National Guard. This decision came after President Donald Trump had dispatched guard members from California to Oregon earlier in the day. The judge had previously halted the deployment of Oregon National Guard troops to Portland on Saturday.
The Pentagon spokesperson mentioned that approximately 200 federalized members of the California National Guard who were stationed around Los Angeles were reassigned to Portland. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek confirmed that 100 members arrived on Saturday, with another 100 expected to arrive on Sunday. She stated that there was no formal communication with the federal government regarding this deployment.
Initially, California and Oregon requested a limited order to block only California National Guard troops from being sent to Oregon. However, after a memo from Secretary of War Pete Hegseth indicated the activation of up to 400 Texas National Guard personnel for deployment to Oregon and Illinois, the states requested the order to apply to all National Guard troops.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott authorized the call-up of troops, emphasizing the need to ensure the protection of federal employees. Meanwhile, Illinois had also activated troops in response to a similar announcement made by its governor.
Governor Kotek criticized the deployment, stating that it seemed to be an intentional circumvention of the court’s ruling. She emphasized that there was no justification for military intervention in Oregon, as there was no insurrection or threat to national security in Portland.
California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the deployment, describing it as an abuse of power by the president. He highlighted that these troops had been under federal control for months, despite his objections, in response to unrest in Los Angeles. Newsom expressed his intention to challenge the deployment in court and called on the public to speak out against such actions.
The Trump-appointed federal judge in Oregon had previously blocked the administration’s plan to deploy the Oregon National Guard in Portland, citing that the protests in the city did not warrant federalized forces. The judge’s order was issued pending further legal proceedings in a lawsuit brought by the state and city.
Trump’s characterization of Portland and Chicago as crime-ridden and requiring military intervention has sparked criticism from officials and residents alike. The deployment of National Guard troops to these cities has raised concerns about federal overreach and the potential impact on state sovereignty.
