Trump Sends Federal Troops to Portland After Court Blocks National Guard Deployment
President Donald Trump has ordered federalised troops from California to Oregon after a U.S. court denied his attempt to deploy the National Guard in Portland. The move comes amid ongoing unrest and protests in the city, sparking fierce backlash from state officials and reigniting a national debate over the president’s use of military power within U.S. borders.
In a controversial workaround, Trump redeployed National Guard members who were already stationed in Los Angeles following this summer’s protests, effectively bypassing the federal court ruling that had barred him from deploying new troops to Portland.
California Governor Gavin Newsom swiftly condemned the action, describing it as a “breathtaking abuse of the law and power” and vowing to challenge it in court.
“This isn’t about public safety; it’s about power,” Newsom said. “The commander-in-chief is using the U.S. military as a political weapon against American citizens. We will take this fight to court, but the public cannot remain silent in the face of such reckless and authoritarian conduct.”
White House Defends Move as “Lawful and Necessary”
The White House defended the president’s decision, saying the deployment was a lawful response to violent unrest in Portland.
“President Trump exercised his lawful authority to protect federal assets and personnel in Portland following violent riots and attacks on law enforcement,” White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said.
She also took aim at Governor Newsom, accusing him of siding with “violent criminals destroying Portland and cities across the country” instead of supporting law-abiding citizens.
The Pentagon confirmed that 200 members of the California National Guard were reassigned to Portland to support U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal agencies. The troops will reportedly assist in securing federal buildings and ensuring “the safety of government operations.”
Protests and Tensions Rise Across U.S. Cities
Portland has been at the center of nationwide protests over immigration enforcement and police brutality. Demonstrations have continued for months, often clashing with federal agents and local police. Many of the protests have been fuelled by opposition to the Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration and the designation of Antifa as a “domestic terrorist organisation.”
Trump has repeatedly targeted Democrat-led cities, arguing that federal intervention is necessary to restore order. Portland, in particular, has drawn his ire for what he describes as a “failure of leadership.”
“This is about restoring peace to communities that have been destroyed by lawlessness,” Trump said in a recent statement. “We will not stand by while radical groups terrorize American streets.”
California Troops Redeployed Despite Local Opposition
Over the summer, Los Angeles saw daily protests following a surge in immigration raids. Trump had already deployed California’s National Guard to the city in June — a move that Governor Newsom publicly opposed, arguing that it worsened tensions rather than easing them.
At the time, Trump defended his decision, saying the deployment “saved the city from burning to the ground.” The same troops, still stationed in Los Angeles, have now been reassigned to Portland under federal orders.
Newsom said the decision was an overreach that ignored both state authority and judicial oversight. “The president has trampled over the rule of law,” he said. “This deployment sets a dangerous precedent that threatens the constitutional balance between states and the federal government.”
Chicago Also Targeted in “Law and Order” Crackdown
Portland isn’t the only city under Trump’s spotlight. The president has also authorised the deployment of 300 National Guard troops to Chicago, citing what he called “out-of-control crime.”
Chicago has faced weeks of protests over immigration enforcement, some of which have turned violent. On Saturday, clashes between demonstrators and authorities escalated when immigration agents reportedly opened fire on an armed woman after a vehicle rammed into law enforcement cars. Her condition remains unclear, though officials said she drove herself to a hospital.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker accused Trump of “attempting to manufacture a crisis” to justify further federal intervention. “They want mayhem on the ground,” Pritzker said on CNN’s State of the Union. “They want to create a war zone so that they can send in even more troops. This is not about restoring peace — it’s about control.”
Growing Backlash and Political Fallout
The deployment of federal troops to U.S. cities has sparked an outcry from local leaders, civil rights organisations, and members of Congress. Critics argue that the administration is weaponising the military for political purposes ahead of the 2025 election.
Legal experts have also questioned the legality of redeploying National Guard troops from one state to another without the consent of that state’s governor. Newsom has already directed California’s attorney general to explore legal options to challenge the order.
“This is a gross violation of states’ rights,” said legal analyst Marcia Heller. “The president is exploiting legal loopholes to use military force in cities that oppose his policies — something the Constitution was specifically designed to prevent.”
The Broader Context
The move comes amid growing political polarisation across the United States. Trump has positioned himself as a “law and order” president, frequently blaming Democrat-led cities for rising crime and unrest. His critics argue that his policies have instead deepened divisions and eroded trust between citizens and the government.
Meanwhile, in Portland, tensions remain high. Protesters continue to fill the streets, demanding an end to federal intervention and calling for greater accountability from law enforcement.
As legal battles loom and public outrage builds, Trump’s decision to send troops into another state without local approval may set the stage for one of the most significant constitutional clashes of his presidency.
For now, Portland remains a flashpoint — not just for protests, but for a broader struggle over the balance of power between federal authority and state sovereignty.