Portland City Councilman’s Stance on National Guard Orders
Portland City Councilman Mitch Green has reiterated his position asking the National Guard to resist deployment orders, countering Oregon Governor Tina Kotek’s claim that the Guard must adhere to the command hierarchy, irrespective of personal beliefs.
On CNN, Green expressed, “I respectfully disagree with the oath of service language.” He emphasized that the oath prioritizes the Constitution, stating, “Your duty is to the Constitution, and at times you may face illegal orders from the chain of command.”
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He mentioned that the decision to follow orders now rests with individual service members based on their moral judgment. Previously, he stated that although National Guard members are expected to obey all orders, they must not comply with unlawful commands.
Reflecting on his military experience, Green asserted he had never disobeyed an order but added, “I’ve never faced a clearly illegal order to deploy within the U.S.”
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Green’s comments followed a Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision that lifted one of two restraining orders limiting the National Guard’s movement to Portland. However, Kotek argued that the National Guard remains unable to deploy until the second order is lifted.
Green mentioned he hasn’t heard from military personnel directly but claimed that veterans connected to active-duty members have indicated feelings of confusion and uncertainty about their commitments. “They’re asking themselves if this aligns with what they signed up for,” he noted.
As the military prepares for potential deployment, Green anticipates that soldiers will consider the constitutional implications of their orders each day. He expressed full readiness to assist those choosing to disobey orders by connecting them with legal resources available through organizations like the National Lawyers Guild Military Law Task Force.
“They have legal risks, but they aren’t alone,” he concluded, highlighting the support for those who might take such a step.
