President Donald Trump has ordered 200 Oregon National Guard troops into federal service to secure immigration facilities and restore order in Portland. The troops are activated under Title 10 authority, giving them direct federal command. President Trump described the deployment as necessary to stop “chaos, death, and destruction” that he said has plagued the city.
The Oregon Military Department confirmed the order and said Guard members are undergoing training at sites in Salem and Woodburn before moving toward Portland. Officials estimate the two-month mission will cost $3.8 million, fully funded by the federal government. While the president said troops are already “in place,” local officials noted that most units have not yet taken to the streets, with some still preparing for active duty.
Governor Tina Kotek and other Democratic leaders in the state immediately denounced the move. The state of Oregon filed a federal lawsuit seeking to block the deployment, calling it unconstitutional and an attack on state sovereignty. Critics argue that the city is not experiencing the level of unrest described by the administration, pointing to dated footage used to justify the move.
The Trump administration insists the deployment is lawful and necessary to protect federal facilities, especially Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sites, from escalating threats. Officials say local law enforcement has been unable or unwilling to secure those buildings. Portland has been a flashpoint for clashes between activists and police in recent years, with federal agents previously deployed during earlier unrest.
The standoff sets up a major constitutional battle over state versus federal authority. Supporters of the deployment argue that the president has both the duty and the power to safeguard federal property when states fail to act. Opponents see it as federal overreach into local policing. With lawsuits now pending, the courts will determine whether the Guard’s presence in Portland moves forward.
