President Donald Trump has taken significant action by deploying federalized troops from California to Oregon. This move comes in response to a court ruling that denied his request to send the National Guard to Portland. By reallocating National Guard members who were already stationed in Los Angeles, this deployment effectively bypasses the judge's order that prevented troop deployment in Portland.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has vehemently opposed this maneuver, labeling it a "breathtaking abuse of the law and power." The ongoing situation in Portland highlights a broader trend where many U.S. cities, particularly those led by Democratic leaders, have become targets in Trump's crackdown on crime. The president has consistently argued that military presence is essential for restoring peace amidst ongoing protests related to immigration enforcement.
The Pentagon has confirmed that 200 members of the California National Guard have been reassigned to Portland. Their primary role is to support U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal personnel performing official duties. White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson defended the troop deployment, asserting that President Trump exercised his lawful authority to protect federal assets and personnel in Portland following violent riots and attacks on law enforcement.
In her statement, Jackson criticized Newsom, claiming he should side with law-abiding citizens rather than violent criminals who are purportedly destroying Portland and other cities across the nation. This sentiment reflects a growing concern among some leaders about the use of military force in domestic situations.
The unrest in Portland is part of a larger pattern of protests occurring in cities like Chicago and Los Angeles, where demonstrations erupted over increased immigration raids. Over the summer, Los Angeles saw daily protests, prompting Trump to deploy the National Guard to address the unrest. This deployment was controversial, as it is typically the responsibility of a state’s governor to manage military resources. Newsom criticized this move as unnecessary and potentially escalating tensions, while Trump insisted it was crucial to save the city from chaos.
Following the recent troop deployment, Newsom argued that the situation is not about public safety but rather about exerting power. He accused Trump of using the U.S. military as a political weapon against American citizens and vowed to challenge this decision in court. "The public cannot stay silent in the face of such reckless and authoritarian conduct by the President of the United States," he stated.
Protests have persisted in Portland and other cities, largely in response to the Trump administration's intensified immigration enforcement. Portland has been a particular focal point for Trump, who has frequently criticized the city for its alleged concentration of individuals associated with Antifa, a loosely organized movement of far-left activists. In a recent executive order, Trump designated this group as a domestic terrorist organization, further escalating tensions.
Just one day before the Oregon deployment, Trump authorized the dispatch of 300 National Guard troops to Chicago to combat what he described as rampant crime. The situation in Chicago has also been marked by protests against immigration enforcement. Tensions escalated over the weekend when protests turned violent, leading to an armed confrontation between immigration authorities and protesters. The condition of an armed woman involved in the incident remains unclear, as she reportedly drove herself to a hospital.
State and local leaders have voiced strong opposition to Trump's deployment plans, condemning them as an abuse of power. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker accused the president of attempting to manufacture a crisis. He expressed concern that the authorization of troops would incite further protests, stating, "They want mayhem on the ground. They want to create the war zone so that they can send in even more troops." Pritzker emphasizes that the administration is leveraging every tool at its disposal to disrupt local efforts to maintain order.
