Portland, Oregon. — President Donald Trump has ordered 200 Oregon National Guard troops into federal service for 60 days, escalating a confrontation with state officials over how to manage small-scale protests outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Portland.
The move came after Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek resisted a federal ultimatum to mobilize Guard forces herself within 12 hours. In a memo delivered Saturday, National Guard Bureau officials warned that failure to deploy would “risk lives and property damage.” Kotek refused, arguing the protests did not warrant military intervention.
Trump announced the mobilization Wednesday on his social media platform, calling Portland a “never-ending disaster” and claiming federal officers faced “vicious attacks” from demonstrators. “The National Guard is now in place, and has been dedicated to restoring law and order,” he wrote.
State and local officials sharply disputed the president’s characterization. Portland Mayor Keith Wilson said the number of necessary troops was “zero,” while Kotek accused Trump of exaggerating unrest for political purposes. Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield filed suit in federal court, arguing the order exceeded the president’s authority and infringed on state sovereignty.
The protests at the ICE facility have typically drawn only a few dozen participants, with no arrests in recent weeks, according to Portland police. The Oregon Military Department estimates the deployment could cost up to $10 million once salaries, lodging, and supplies are factored in.
The legal challenge could have broader implications for federal authority over state-controlled Guard units. Under federal law, presidents may federalize the Guard in cases of invasion or insurrection, but Oregon argues those conditions are not present. A hearing on the state’s request for a temporary restraining order is expected in the coming weeks.
As of Wednesday, the mobilization had not resulted in a visible military presence in Portland. Oregon Guard officials said troops were still undergoing processing and training.
