A Legal Roadblock for a President's Plan to Deploy National Guard in Portland
A recent court order has halted the attempts of the President to dispatch the National Guard from California to Portland. This decision was made after it was confirmed that 200 members of the Californian National Guard were being redirected to Portland. Their mission was to aid the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal personnel in their official duties.
Both California and Oregon had earlier sought to prevent this deployment by requesting a temporary restraining order.
A Judge's Perspective
The court's decision was delivered by a District Judge, who was originally appointed by the President himself. The judge declared that there was no substantial evidence to suggest that the recent protests in Portland necessitated the presence of the federalized National Guard troops.
In a recent emergency hearing, the judge questioned the government lawyers about this reassignment of troops from other states. She was curious if this was just a workaround to her prior decision that had denied the deployment of Oregon's National Guard.
In that previous decision, the judge had stated that using the military to suppress unrest without the consent of Oregon could undermine the state's sovereignty. She also expressed concern about escalating tensions in the city of Portland.
White House Response
The White House has not yet issued any statement regarding this recent ruling. However, the President's deputy chief of staff labeled the ruling as a severe violation of the constitutional order. He also termed it as a part of continuous efforts to overturn the results of the 2024 election.
The temporary restraining order is expected to stay in effect until the latter half of October. It is likely that the current administration will swiftly appeal this decision.
Deployment Elsewhere
In related news, the President has given the green light to deploy 300 National Guard troops to Chicago. Simultaneously, the Governor of Illinois announced that the President has ordered 400 Texas National Guard members to be deployed in Illinois, Oregon, and other U.S. locations.
This proposed deployment was dubbed as an 'invasion' by the Governor of Illinois. He argued that there was no justification for deploying troops without the knowledge, consent, or cooperation of local officials. The Governor also accused the administration of creating a hostile environment to justify their response.
The Governor of Illinois also requested the Governor of Texas to withdraw any support for this decision and refuse to help coordinate it. However, the Governor of Texas publicly supported the President's decision, stating that it was necessary for ensuring the safety of federal officials.
The Situation in Portland and Chicago
Both Portland and Chicago have recently witnessed protests due to heightened immigration enforcement. These protests turned violent in some instances, forcing immigration authorities to take drastic measures. In one instance, immigration authorities had to open fire on an armed woman who, along with others, allegedly attempted to ram their cars into law enforcement vehicles.
Portland has been a particular target of the President's criticism due to the large number of people characterized as Antifa, or "anti-fascist", by his supporters. The President has even signed an executive order designating the loosely organized group of left-wing activists as a domestic terrorist organization.
The Role of the National Guard
The National Guard serves as the primary combat reserve for both the Army and the Air Force. This state-based military force can be activated by either the state governor or the U.S. President. While the National Guard often provides disaster relief following natural disasters, it can also support overseas military operations.
Over the summer, the President directed National Guard troops to be deployed in Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles, stating that they were necessary to suppress crime or protests. These were significant decisions, as such deployments are typically left to a state's governor.
The President has tried to use National Guard troops in several U.S. cities to crack down on crime and support immigration enforcement, including in Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles, California. However, a federal judge in California ruled that the President's deployment of the National Guard to Los Angeles was illegal, as it violated an act that restricts the federal government's power to use military force for domestic matters. The administration is currently appealing this decision.