California and Oregon Sue to Block National Guard Troop Deployment

The states of California and Oregon have filed a lawsuit seeking to prevent the deployment of approximately 200 California National Guard troops to Portland. This legal action comes in the wake of nationwide protests concerning President Donald Trump‘s immigration policies and the federal government’s use of military personnel in urban areas.

California’s Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom announced the suit, labeling the troop deployment a “breathtaking abuse of the law and power.” The lawsuit argues that sending out-of-state guard troops represents a significant overreach and necessitates a separate judicial ruling. The Pentagon has stated that the troops are being dispatched to support U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal officials in carrying out their duties, which include enforcing federal law and safeguarding federal property.

A federal judge in Oregon has temporarily blocked the deployment of National Guard troops to Portland, including those from California. The judge, Karin Immergut, is being asked to extend this order to prevent the transfer of California troops into Oregon. The existing court order is set to remain in effect until at least October 19, 2023, as the case progresses through the legal system.

The lawsuit follows a previous ruling by Judge Immergut that prohibited the Trump administration from deploying Oregon’s own National Guard to the city during the ongoing protests. Newsom and California’s Attorney General Rob Bonta are collaborating with Oregon officials in their request for an extension of the court’s decision.

Trump, addressing reporters, asserted that the troop deployments are necessary due to the situation in Portland, which he described as “burning to the ground.” Local officials have disputed this characterization, underscoring the differences between state and federal perspectives on the protests.

Tensions between state governments and the federal administration have escalated, particularly concerning the use of military force in domestic settings. Protests erupted over the weekend in various cities across the United States, with hundreds of demonstrators gathering outside Portland’s ICE facility. Late-night clashes between protesters and federal officers resulted in multiple arrests. Smaller solidarity rallies were also organized in cities like Seattle, San Francisco, and Denver.

The current situation recalls Trump’s earlier decision to deploy around 2,000 National Guard members and 700 Marines to Los Angeles in June to manage unrest related to immigration raids. Immigration enforcement has become a central theme in his campaign for the 2024 presidential election, influencing a range of domestic policy initiatives.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the outcome may have significant implications for the relationship between state leadership and federal authority, particularly regarding the deployment of military personnel in response to civil unrest.