Oregon Files Lawsuit Against National Guard Deployment in Portland
On Sunday, Oregon announced a lawsuit aimed at stopping President Donald Trump’s decision to send a 200-member National Guard unit to Portland.
The Oregon Attorney General made the announcement shortly after Governor Tina Kotek received a memo from Director Pete Hegseth, who had approved the troops’ deployment for a period of 60 days.
The Oregon National Guard will be under federal command and is set to be stationed in Portland to safeguard federal properties, particularly during times when protests may occur.
Kotek, along with Portland Mayor Keith Wilson and other Democratic leaders, countered the federal action by filing legal challenges in federal courts, claiming that the move was “illegal” and unnecessary.
“Oregon’s communities are stable,” Rayfield said in a statement. He emphasized that local officials can maintain public safety without federal involvement.
On Saturday, Trump mentioned that he had directed Hegseth to send military support to protect Portland, citing increased threats from groups like ANTIFA.
Kotek had previously reached out to the president on Saturday, urging him against the troop deployment.
At a press conference, she stated, “Our city is far from the war-torn community he described on social media.” She insisted that there are no riots or threats to national security requiring military presence.
However, federal agents began arriving in Portland over the weekend, with early reports of clashes at immigration enforcement facilities.
Mayor Wilson expressed his disapproval, saying, “We didn’t ask them to come. They’re here without precedent or purpose.” Senator Jeff Markley urged demonstrators to remain peaceful, cautioning that the goal of federal agents might provoke conflict.
This lawsuit parallels a previous one filed by California in June when federal troops were dispatched to Los Angeles.
Rayfield remarked, “This simply divides us as a nation and a community, while pretending to be concerned about public safety. The number of troops needed is zero.”
A spokesman for the War Bureau stated they would not comment on ongoing litigation or Oregon’s case at this time.
