Oregon Sues to Block Deployment of 200 National Guard Troops to Portland

Oregon Sues to Block ‘Illegal’ Deployment of 200 National Guard Troops to Portland

Portland, Ore. September 12, 2025 Oregon officials are asking a federal court to stop President Donald Trump from sending 200 National Guard troops into Portland, arguing that the deployment violates constitutional limits and rests on little more than “social media gossip.”

The lawsuit, filed late Friday by Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, seeks an emergency injunction to block the order, which was announced earlier this week by the Trump administration. The White House said the deployment was necessary to address “rising extremist activity” in the city.

State Pushback

In her filing, Rosenblum said the state was blindsided by the federal order and described it as an “unlawful intrusion on Oregon’s sovereignty.”

“Sending in troops based on rumors, unverified claims, and social media chatter is not only reckless, it is unconstitutional,” Rosenblum said. “Public safety in Oregon is the responsibility of Oregon’s leaders — not Washington, D.C.”

Governor Tina Kotek also condemned the move, saying the state was not consulted and had not requested federal military assistance.

White House Defense

Trump administration officials insist the deployment is necessary, citing what they describe as “credible intelligence” of organized plans to attack federal property in Portland. Homeland Security Secretary Mark Morgan said the Guard troops will “support federal law enforcement and ensure the safety of U.S. government facilities.”

Asked about the lawsuit, Trump told reporters Friday, “The radical left is out of control in Portland. If the state won’t protect the people, we will. It’s that simple.”

A History of Tension

Portland has been a flashpoint for clashes over federal intervention before. In 2020, Trump sent federal agents to the city to quell protests, sparking lawsuits and a heated debate over the role of federal forces in local law enforcement.

This latest dispute raises similar constitutional questions, particularly whether the president can override state objections to deploy National Guard units. Legal experts say the case could set a precedent for the limits of federal power in domestic security matters.

What’s Next

The lawsuit asks the U.S. District Court in Portland to issue an emergency restraining order before the troops are scheduled to arrive next week. A hearing could be held as early as Monday.

For now, the battle over who controls Oregon’s streets — the state government or the Trump administration — is once again moving from the public square into the courtroom.