Trump Sends California National Guard to Oregon Amid Portland Protests
In a move seen as an attempt to circumvent a federal judge's ruling, President Donald Trump has deployed 300 California National Guard members to Oregon, where they will join Customs and Border Protection agents in quelling protests in Portland. The deployment comes after U.S. District Judge Marco A. Hernandez temporarily blocked the administration from using Oregon's National Guard troops.
According to Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, 101 California National Guard members arrived in the state on Saturday night by plane, with more expected to follow. "We have not received any formal communication from the federal government regarding this deployment," Kotek said in a statement.
California Governor Gavin Newsom pledged to fight the move in court, calling it an "unprecedented overreach" of presidential authority. "We will do everything in our power to protect California's sovereignty and ensure that our National Guard is not used as a tool for partisan politics," Newsom said.
The deployment marks the latest development in a long-standing dispute between Trump and Oregon officials over the use of National Guard troops in Portland, where protests against police brutality and systemic racism have been ongoing since May. The protests have drawn national attention, with many critics accusing Trump of using military force to suppress dissent.
Background: The situation in Portland has been marked by escalating tensions between protesters and law enforcement, with some demonstrators clashing with federal agents deployed to the city under the auspices of Customs and Border Protection. In response, Oregon officials had sought to deploy their own National Guard troops to maintain order, but Trump's administration blocked the move.
International Perspective: The deployment of California National Guard members to Oregon has raised concerns among human rights groups and international observers about the use of military force in domestic policing. "The United States is sending a message that it will not tolerate dissent or peaceful protest," said Amal Clooney, a British lawyer and human rights advocate. "This is a disturbing trend that undermines democratic values and sets a dangerous precedent for other countries."
Current Status: The California National Guard deployment to Oregon is expected to continue through the week, with more troops arriving in the coming days. Meanwhile, Newsom has vowed to challenge the move in court, arguing that it violates state sovereignty and the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, which prohibits the use of federal military forces for domestic law enforcement.
Next Developments: The situation remains fluid, with both sides preparing for further action. As tensions continue to escalate, international observers will be watching closely to see how this latest development unfolds.
*Reporting by Fortune.*
