Under orders from President Donald Trump, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has officially directed National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon, for a 60-day deployment to address unrest. The move comes as Oregon files a lawsuit challenging the federal government’s authority to deploy military forces into the city.
Trump announced Saturday that he was authorizing troops to protect federal immigration facilities against “domestic terrorists,” with Hegseth later signing a memo ordering 200 Oregon National Guard members under federal control. The deployment faces immediate legal opposition, with Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield accusing Trump of overstepping his powers.
The lawsuit alleges that Portland’s protests—primarily against Immigration and Customs Enforcement—are small and manageable, contradicting the administration’s claims of a “war-ravaged” city. Oregon officials, including Gov. Kate Brown and Portland Mayor Keith Wilson, have criticized the move as unnecessary and unconstitutional, arguing local law enforcement can handle the situation.
The White House defended the action, stating troops are deployed to safeguard federal assets amid “violent riots” where officers faced assaults. However, critics argue the deployment risks escalating tensions and undermining civil liberties.
Oregon’s legal challenge highlights the ongoing conflict between federal authority and state sovereignty, with both sides preparing for a prolonged standoff.