Hundreds of Oregon National Guard troops have been called up following President Trump saying over the weekend that he was sending troops to Portland, the state’s attorney general said.
In a post on the social platform X Sunday, Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield (D) said that “the Secretary of Defense sent a memo to Governor Tina Kotek authorizing 200 members of the Oregon National Guard to perform federal functions for 60 days.”
“Oregon communities are stable, and our local officials have been clear: we have the capacity to manage public safety without federal interference,” Rayfield added later.
“Sending in 200 National Guard troops to guard a single building is not normal. If you had a concern about safety at your own home, you’d make a few calls and fill the gaps — not call in an army.”
The Pentagon in a statement obtained by NewsNation on Monday confirmed the deployment.
“On Sept. 28, 2025, at the direction of the President, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth informed the Adjutant General of the Oregon National Guard that 200 members of the Oregon National Guard will be called into Federal service immediately for a period of 60 days to protect U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other U.S. Government personnel who are performing Federal functions, including the enforcement of Federal law, and to protect Federal property in Oregon,” it said.
“The President called forth these 200 Guardsmen to deter rampant lawlessness within Portland and to enable Federal law-enforcement officers to safely conduct their duties. These Guardsmen, while Federalized, will be under the command and control of the Commander of U.S. Northern Command.”
On Saturday, Trump said that he was deploying troops to Portland to protect the city as well as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities from antifa and other “domestic terrorists.”
“At the request of Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, I am directing Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, to provide all necessary Troops to protect War ravaged Portland, and any of our ICE Facilities under siege from attack by Antifa, and other domestic terrorists,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform.
“I am also authorizing Full Force, if necessary,” Trump added. “Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
Two other major U.S. cities, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., have seen National Guard troop deployments in the last few months.
The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment.
Updated at 7:59 a.m. EDT
