A temporary restraining order was issued by a federal judge on Sunday, blocking the Trump administration from deploying National Guard units to Oregon, including the California National Guard. The states of California and Oregon sought this order after President Donald Trump had sent guard members from California to Oregon earlier on the same day. This action followed a previous temporary block by the judge preventing the deployment of Oregon National Guard troops to Portland by the administration.
According to a statement from a Pentagon spokesperson, approximately 200 federalized members of the California National Guard were reassigned from Los Angeles to Portland. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek mentioned that around 100 guard members had arrived on Saturday, with an additional 100 expected to arrive on Sunday. Kotek also noted the lack of formal communication with the federal government regarding this deployment.
Originally, the two states had requested a narrower order to prevent 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, Illinois, and potentially other locations, the order was expanded to cover all National Guard troops.
Following the announcement of troops being activated in Illinois, Governor Greg Abbott of Texas authorized the call-up, expressing the need for full enforcement of protection for federal employees. Oregon Governor Kotek criticized the move, stating that there was no need for military intervention in the state, as there was no insurrection in Portland and no threat to national security.
California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the deployment of troops, referring to it as an abuse of power, as these troops had been federalized months ago against his objections in response to unrest in Los Angeles. He criticized the use of the military as a political tool against American citizens, vowing to challenge the deployment through legal means.
Meanwhile, an Oregon federal judge appointed by Trump had previously blocked the deployment of Oregon National Guard troops in Portland to protect federal property. The judge’s decision was made in response to a lawsuit filed by the state and city, citing that the protests in the city did not warrant the use of federal forces and could infringe on Oregon’s state sovereignty.
The ongoing protests in Portland, particularly around the ICE building, have been a focal point, with tensions rising amid federal intervention. President Trump’s characterization of cities like Portland and Chicago as crime-ridden and in need of aggressive measures has been met with criticism and opposition from local officials and residents.
Since the beginning of his second term, Trump has proposed or implemented troop deployments in multiple cities, including Chicago, where Illinois Governor JB Pritzker opposed the use of the military, stating that the situation did not warrant such action.