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Hegseth, Pete

Oregon Sues Trump to Block Deployment of National Guard Members to Portland

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Oregon and the city of Portland have taken swift action to challenge the federal government's decision to deploy 200 Oregon National Guard members to the city, fueling tensions between the state and the Trump administration. The lawsuit, filed by the Oregon Department of Justice on Sunday, seeks a temporary restraining order to pause the planned deployment within the next 24 hours. The state's governor, Tina Kotek, has stated that the move is "un-American" and that there is no insurrection or threat to public safety in Oregon.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Oregon Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Portland to block the deployment of 200 Oregon National Guard members to the city.
  • The governor of Oregon, Tina Kotek, has stated that the move is "un-American" and that there is no insurrection or threat to public safety in the state.
  • Governor Kotek has been preparing for the prospect of a lawsuit since January, according to Attorney General Dan Rayfield.
  • About 200 people showed up to protest outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in Portland on Sunday, Sept. 28, the same day the deployment was announced.
  • The lawsuit seeks a temporary restraining order to pause the planned deployment within the next 24 hours.
  • Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth notified Governor Kotek on Sunday morning that he was mobilizing 200 Oregon National Guard members for 60 days under an order to protect U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal property where protests are occurring or likely to occur.
  • Attorney General Dan Rayfield stated that the president's actions are "reckless" and will only serve to further divide the nation.

Statistics:

  • 200 Oregon National Guard members are being deployed to Portland for 60 days.
  • 200 people showed up to protest outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement building on Sunday, Sept. 28.
  • 26 people have been charged with crimes, including arson and resisting arrest, since early June for protesting outside the ICE facility.
  • 6 days a week, Casey Leger, a self-described middle-class grandma, has been coming to protest outside the Portland ICE facility since February.
  • 19th-century law, the Posse Comitatus Act, generally forbids military members from conducting domestic law enforcement.

Sources:

  • Oregon Capital Chronicle
  • Oregon Department of Justice
  • U.S. District Court, Portland
  • Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth
  • Attorney General Dan Rayfield
  • Governor Tina Kotek

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