California Sues Trump Over Deployment of National Guard to Oregon

PORTLAND, Oregon — California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on Sunday, seeking to prevent the deployment of 300 California National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon.

The lawsuit follows a federal judge’s ruling that temporarily halted the use of the Oregon National Guard to respond to protests against federal immigration enforcement. Bonta stated that the deployment of California troops is illegal and undermines the rule of law.

“The stakes couldn’t be higher,” Bonta said in a press conference. “People should understand clearly what is happening here: The president is seeking to deploy the California National Guard as federal military police indefinitely anywhere in the country.”

California Governor Gavin Newsom supported the lawsuit, emphasizing the importance of public opposition to the president’s actions. “We will take this fight to court, but the public cannot stay silent in the face of such reckless and authoritarian conduct,” Newsom said.

On Sunday, about 100 California National Guard members were already deployed in Portland, with plans for an additional 200 to arrive soon. This shift comes after federal troops were previously ordered to Los Angeles due to protests, raising concerns about shifting federal resources based on political motivations.

The White House responded to the lawsuit, insisting that President Trump is acting within his authority to protect federal properties amidst rising tensions in Portland. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson stated, “The facts haven’t changed: The president exercised his lawful authority to protect federal assets.”

However, legal experts have voiced concerns regarding the legality of the move. Elizabeth Goitein, a senior director at the Brennan Center for Justice, asserted that the government’s actions appear to contradict the judge’s ruling on the limitations of federal power in state matters.

Judge Karin Immergut, who made the earlier ruling concerning the Oregon National Guard, noted that the situation in Portland did not warrant military intervention. “These incidents are inexcusable, but they are nowhere near the type of incidents that cannot be handled by regular law enforcement forces,” Immergut stated.

The dynamic surrounding this deployment raises serious questions about the balance of power between state and federal authorities, particularly as political leaders in both California and Oregon challenge the president’s decisions. The White House’s interpretation of federal authority continues to be scrutinized amidst ongoing legal battles.

This lawsuit may set a significant legal precedent regarding the federal deployment of military resources in response to domestic protests.