Will California Challenge Trump's Deployment of National Guard to Portland?

Click to start listening
Will California Challenge Trump's Deployment of National Guard to Portland?

Synopsis

In a striking move, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced the state's intent to sue the Trump administration over the deployment of National Guard troops to Portland. This decision raises questions about the use of military power for political purposes and the implications for civil liberties.

Key Takeaways

  • California is suing the Trump administration over the deployment of National Guard troops.
  • Governor Gavin Newsom accuses Trump of using military force for political purposes.
  • Federal Judge Karin Immergut ruled protests in Portland were not violent enough for troop deployment.
  • This case raises important questions about the balance of power in the U.S.
  • The outcome could have significant implications for civil liberties.

Los Angeles, Oct 6 (NationPress) California's Governor, Gavin Newsom, has declared that the state will take legal action against the Trump administration for sending National Guard troops from California to Portland, Oregon. He accused Trump of utilizing the military as a political weapon against American citizens.

In an official statement, Newsom revealed that President Donald Trump is dispatching 300 California National Guard members to Portland following a federal judge's temporary rejection of Trump's request to federalize the Oregon National Guard, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.

"They are en route at this moment," the statement read. "This represents a shocking abuse of authority and legal power. The Trump Administration is blatantly undermining the rule of law and actively disregarding judicial orders, treating judges—many of whom were appointed by the President himself—as political adversaries."

"We will pursue this matter in court, but the public must not remain silent in the face of such reckless and authoritarian behavior from the President of the United States," Newsom stated.

Trump argued that the troop deployment was crucial because Portland was facing unrest from protesters who opposed immigration enforcement carried out by federal agents.

On September 27, Trump directed that "all necessary troops" be sent to Portland, placing 200 Oregon National Guard members under the command of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.

In reaction to this order, Oregon State and the city of Portland filed a lawsuit on September 28. Federal Judge Karin Immergut ruled on Saturday that the protests in Portland were "not significantly violent or disruptive" enough to warrant Trump's invocation of the Oregon National Guard.

The Trump administration subsequently appealed this decision to the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals based in San Francisco. This court had previously reinstated Trump's authority to mobilize the National Guard in Los Angeles in June, following a federal judge's ruling in San Francisco that aimed to halt it.

Point of View

The ongoing tensions between state leadership and federal authority illustrate a growing divide in governance. Governor Newsom's legal action emphasizes the importance of safeguarding democratic principles amid what many perceive as overreach by the federal government. This situation is a crucial test for the balance of power in the United States.
NationPress
06/10/2025

Frequently Asked Questions

What prompted California to sue the Trump administration?
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced the lawsuit in response to President Trump's decision to deploy National Guard troops from California to Portland, claiming it was a misuse of military power.
How many National Guard troops are being sent to Portland?
President Trump is sending 300 California National Guard troops to Portland.
What did the federal judge rule regarding the protests in Portland?
Federal Judge Karin Immergut ruled that the protests in Portland were not significantly violent or disruptive enough to justify the use of the Oregon National Guard.
What is the significance of this legal battle?
This legal battle highlights the tensions between state and federal authority, as well as the implications for civil liberties and the rule of law.
What does Governor Newsom hope to achieve with the lawsuit?
Governor Newsom aims to challenge what he views as an abuse of power by the Trump administration and to uphold the rule of law.
Nation Press