Washington, October 6(HS): In a dramatic escalation of a constitutional standoff, the Trump administration has deployed 200 California National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon, despite a federal judge’s ruling temporarily blocking such a move. The decision has triggered sharp political and legal backlash, with governors of both Oregon and California vowing to challenge the action in court.
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek confirmed Sunday that 101 troops had already arrived overnight by military aircraft, with more to follow. She said the deployment, undertaken without any formal federal notification to the state, appears to deliberately defy Saturday’s ruling by U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut, who prohibited troop transfers to Oregon until at least October 18.
“This action seems calculated to sidestep a court decision,” Kotek told the Oregon Capital Chronicle. “The facts have not changed—there is no rebellion in Portland, no threat to national security. Oregon is our home, and interference by federal military forces is unwarranted.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced he will file a lawsuit against the Trump administration, decrying what he called an alarming misuse of federal power.
“The Commander-in-Chief is weaponizing the U.S. military against American citizens for political gain,” Newsom said in a statement.
White House Press Secretary Abigail Jackson defended the deployment, saying President Trump was exercising his constitutional authority to protect federal property in Portland after incidents of “violence, riots, and attacks on law enforcement.”
She added that Governor Newsom should stand against “criminals who are destroying cities across the country.”
Judge Immergut sharply criticized the administration’s reasoning, writing in her order: “This is a nation of constitutional law, not martial law. The arguments advanced by the defendants, if accepted, could dangerously blur the line between civilian and military federal power—an outcome detrimental to this country.”
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield signaled his readiness to mount fresh legal action to stop any future troop deployments from California or elsewhere. “The President is clearly intent on stationing troops in American cities without factual justification or legal authority,” Rayfield said.
“Holding him accountable is the responsibility of both the courts and the states, and we intend to do exactly that.”The Pentagon confirmed Sunday the presence of nearly 200 California National Guard members in Portland, stating the operation was carried out at the President’s direction. Trump has described the city as “war-torn,” insisting that military presence is necessary to restore order.
Newsom, echoing Kotek’s concerns, denounced the move as “a profound abuse of law and power,” accusing the administration of turning the military into a domestic political weapon.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
