US President Donald Trump has ordered 200 Oregon National Guard troops into federal service, sparking a political and legal battle with the state’s Democratic leaders. The move has heightened tensions between Washington and Oregon, where protests have been ongoing for months.
The order, signed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, makes the deployment effective immediately for 60 days. Trump has repeatedly described Portland as “war-ravaged,” blaming Antifa and domestic extremists for unrest in the city.
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek said she opposed the decision during a direct call with Trump, calling it an attack on state rights. “Oregon is our home, not a military target,” she stated.
Following the order, Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield filed a lawsuit in Portland against Trump, Hegseth, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The lawsuit accuses the administration of misusing military power for political reasons. Rayfield argued, “This is not about protecting people. It is about the president flexing political muscle under the guise of law and order.”
The National Guard normally operates under the authority of state governors, but can be federalized by the president in times of emergency. Trump has increasingly exercised this power in states led by Democrats, including California and Illinois.
The deployment comes after violent protests at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities nationwide. Portland has been a hotspot, though recent demonstrations have seen smaller crowds. The decision also follows a deadly shooting at a Texas ICE facility that left one detainee dead and two critically injured. Without providing evidence, Trump linked the violence to left-wing groups.
While Trump continues to blame Antifa for unrest, research from the CATO Institute shows right-wing extremists have been responsible for a majority of politically motivated killings in the United States since 2020.
The dispute is expected to intensify ahead of the November elections, with Oregon officials pushing to block the deployment through federal courts.
