The legal and political battle over Portland has now moved into federal court. On Sunday, the state of Oregon and the city of Portland filed suit against the Trump administration, aiming to block the president’s deployment of 200 National Guard troops to the city. The lawsuit names President Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the Defense Department, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, and the Department of Homeland Security as defendants, claiming the administration’s move is unconstitutional and unlawful.
NOW - Governor of Oregon: "there is no insurrection, there is no threat to national security and there is no need for military troops in our major city." pic.twitter.com/wdGECw2kFS
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) September 27, 2025
At the heart of the case is a clash between state sovereignty and federal authority. Oregon’s Democratic leaders argue there is no crisis on the ground that justifies federal intervention. “There is no insurrection or threat to public safety that necessitates military intervention in Portland or any other city in our state,” Governor Tina Kotek said. “Despite this — and all evidence to the contrary — [the president] has chosen to disregard Oregonians’ safety and ability to govern ourselves. This is not necessary. And it is unlawful. And it will make Oregonians less safe.”
BREAKING: Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has officially deployed the National Guard to Portland, Oregon
Let’s gooo
Democrats are literally mad that Trump is making their city safe pic.twitter.com/eApNZSVwzr
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) September 28, 2025
Trump, however, insists that violent unrest has plagued Portland for years and that the federal government cannot stand idle while ICE facilities, federal courthouses, and personnel are targeted by left-wing agitators. His directive to Secretary Hegseth was blunt: “provide all necessary Troops” to restore order. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson doubled down, describing the deployment as “lawful” and necessary to protect federal property after months of violent attacks on officers and facilities.
🚨Portland City Counselor Angelita Morillo is publicly asking people to take pictures of the equipment & technology ICE is using so they can use that info to determine “where to target.”
She also says council is working to keep protesters safe.
This sounds like an insurrection. pic.twitter.com/JplLNWwGFj
— Derrick Evans (@DerrickEvans4WV) September 28, 2025
Oregon officials counter that the protests have been relatively minor in recent weeks, citing police statistics that crime levels remain largely flat compared to last year. Homicides and aggravated assaults are down, they note, even if simple assaults have risen slightly. In their view, Trump’s depiction of Portland as “war-ravaged” amounts to political theater.
There is no insurrection against you because they are on your side. The insurrection is against the U.S. government, and they make it clear. Have your team reach out to me and I can arrange for you to go undercover with my colleagues. No problem since you say it’s so safe, right? https://t.co/9nIod2BkBC
— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) September 29, 2025
The legal fight could hinge on the 10th Amendment and the 1878 Posse Comitatus Act, which bars the federal government from using the military for domestic law enforcement without explicit congressional authorization. Just weeks ago, a federal judge in California ruled against the administration for illegally deploying the Guard and Marines to Los Angeles, citing the same law. Oregon is now betting on a similar outcome.
But this is not just about Portland. Trump has made clear that he sees Democratic-run cities as failing in their duty to maintain order. He has threatened to deploy troops to Chicago, Baltimore, and New Orleans, and already sent Guard units to Washington, D.C., and Memphis, where he had the backing of Tennessee’s Republican governor.