SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — In an unexpected turn of events, President Trump has dispatched 300 members of the California National Guard to Oregon following a judge's ruling that blocked the deployment of the state's own National Guard to Portland. California Governor Gavin Newsom expressed outrage over the decision, declaring it a substantial misuse of authority, and indicated plans to challenge it in court.
There was no official statement from the federal government regarding the California National Guard's deployment as personnel began their journey to Oregon on Sunday. This follows a similar activation of Illinois National Guard troops to provide support in Chicago, another city Trump has criticized for its response to civil unrest.
Newsom emphasized the gravity of the situation, asserting, “The commander-in-chief is using the U.S. military as a political weapon against American citizens.” He urged the public to voice their concerns about what he termed reckless behavior from the president.
The backdrop of this deployment is a recent order from U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut, appointed by Trump, which temporarily restricted the federalized forces in Oregon. The judge cited insufficient justification for the deployment given the nature of the protests, which she deemed not extensive enough to warrant military intervention.
The protests have centered around the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in Portland, escalating tensions in the region as Trump has previously labeled both Portland and Chicago as crime-ridden cities requiring a federal response. This escalation over the National Guard's involvement highlights the ongoing friction between state and federal governance in handling protest situations, particularly concerning civil rights and public safety.
As this situation continues to develop, the implications of federal troop deployments in domestic incidents remain contested, promising further legal and political battles.
