California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Sunday that he plans to take legal action against President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy National Guard members from California to Oregon, where protests have erupted near a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building in Portland. Newsom’s stance comes as Oregon Governor Tina Kotek confirmed that a contingent of 101 California National Guard members arrived in her state on Saturday night.
Kotek expressed her belief that military intervention is unnecessary in Oregon, a sentiment echoed by a federal judge. On Saturday, U.S. District Court Judge Karin Immergut issued a temporary ruling blocking the Trump administration’s plan to deploy 200 members of Oregon’s National Guard to Portland, citing the limited nature of the protests and the potential harm to the state’s sovereignty.
In a response to the ruling, Trump expressed frustration on social media, directing criticism at the judiciary, particularly Judge Immergut, whom he appointed during his first term. He claimed that her decision undermined the federal response to unrest in cities he described as “burning” and in chaos.
As Trump authorized the deployment of 300 Illinois National Guard troops to Chicago to address what he characterizes as “ongoing violent riots,” concerns about racial profiling have surfaced in both Chicago and Portland. Federal agents, including those from ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, have been criticized for their aggressive tactics in immigrant communities, leading to numerous arrests and heightened tensions among local residents.
Governor JB Pritzker of Illinois condemned the Trump administration’s approach, describing it as an “outrageous and un-American” ultimatum, which demanded that governors call up their troops or face federal intervention. Similarly, Kotek claimed that she did not call up any Oregon National Guard troops, leading to the President’s unilateral decision to deploy them supervening state authority.
Meanwhile, law enforcement activity in both Chicago and Portland continues to escalate as federal agents work to secure ICE facilities amid protests. Protests in Portland saw a diverse coalition of demonstrators, including families and retirees, making their voices heard against federal enforcement tactics.
Judge Immergut’s ruling underscored the importance of respecting state sovereignty and avoiding military overreach in civil affairs. She emphasized that the United States is rooted in constitutional law rather than martial law, indicating a judicial check on executive power in these deployments.
Amid the ongoing tensions, Trump has continued to assert his view that cities across the nation, including Baltimore, Memphis, and New Orleans, are in need of federal law enforcement intervention to combat crime. However, crime rates in some cities, including New Orleans, have recently witnessed significant declines, raising questions about the necessity for such measures.
As legal battles unfold and National Guard deployments are contested, the situation remains fluid, with both state and federal leaders navigating a complex landscape of law enforcement, public safety, and civil rights.