President Donald Trump ordered the deployment of 300 California National Guard members to Oregon, sparking immediate condemnation. California Governor Gavin Newsom announced plans to challenge the order in court, mirroring a previous legal challenge that temporarily blocked a similar move by the Trump administration. The initial order targeted the deployment of 200 National Guard soldiers to Portland, which was halted by a federal court until October 18th. Newsom criticized the president’s actions, calling it an alarming misuse of power. He stated that the administration is disregarding the law and acting on dangerous rhetoric. Newsom, in a social media post, highlighted that after a federal court blocked the federalization of the Oregon National Guard, Trump is now sending California National Guard personnel, and that the fight is being taken back to court. The White House confirmed the deployment, with spokesperson Abigail Jackson stating that Trump was using his legitimate authority to protect federal property and personnel following violent riots and attacks on law enforcement in Portland. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, a Democrat, confirmed the arrival of the California National Guard soldiers. She criticized the deployment, stating that there is no need for military intervention in Oregon and that the state is not a military target. On Saturday, a court issued a temporary restraining order against the Trump administration’s activation of 200 Oregon National Guard troops in Portland. The order, issued by U.S. District Judge Karin J. Immergut, who was appointed by Trump, will remain in effect until at least October 18th. The President has been in conflict with several governors and mayors over the National Guard in recent weeks. Democrats also criticized Trump’s remarks last week, when he told senior military officials that the military should use some dangerous cities in the country as training grounds for the National Guard.
