Oregon officials faced a significant policy shift as the Pentagon declared its intention to deploy 200 members of the Oregon National Guard under federal authority. This decision aims to bolster the protection of immigration enforcement officers and facilities across the state.
State leaders, including Governor Tina Kotek, expressed strong opposition to this deployment, comparing it to the controversial situation in Los Angeles last summer, where thousands protested against similar enforcement actions. Oregon is our home — not a military target, Kotek stated in a sharp rebuttal.
In response to the federal order, Oregon's Attorney General Dan Rayfield took a stand, announcing plans to file a lawsuit against the Trump administration, claiming it was overstepping its authority and politicizing public safety. It’s about the president flexing political muscle under the guise of law and order, he remarked.
The memo from the Pentagon echoes directives from President Donald Trump, who indicated the move was necessary for the protection of ICE facilities that he claims are under threat from protest groups like Antifa. However, this new deployment is significantly less extensive than Trump's previous actions in D.C., where National Guard troops have been used extensively for months.
The White House has yet to provide a comment regarding the deployment, leaving many questions unanswered as tensions rise in Oregon.
