A major legal battle is now underway in Oregon, where President Trump is trying to do what any strong leader would—restore order in a city that’s been under siege for years. Portland has become a symbol of lawlessness, where federal officers are attacked, buildings are vandalized, and chaos is allowed to grow unchecked. The president’s decision to send in the National Guard is not just justified—it’s necessary.
This week, a federal trial began to determine whether Trump has the legal authority to deploy National Guard troops to Portland, even if the state’s leaders object. The case is being heard by Judge Karin Immergut, who was appointed by Trump himself. The trial is expected to last several days, but no matter what the outcome is, it will likely be appealed.
Let’s break down what’s really happening here. The president wants to send 200 National Guard soldiers to help protect Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and other federal agents doing their jobs in Portland. These officers have been under attack by angry mobs. They’ve been followed home, had their personal information posted online, and even received death threats. This isn’t protesting—this is targeted violence.
The Department of Justice laid it out clearly. Before Trump made the decision to act, federal officers in Portland were assaulted, their buildings were damaged, and they were blocked from entering or leaving their own facility. This is not just a local problem. When federal officers and property are targeted, it becomes a national issue, and it’s the president’s job to respond.
But Oregon’s state leaders don’t see it that way. They argue that under federal law, the National Guard can only be federalized—meaning taken out of the governor’s control—as a last resort. They claim Trump doesn’t have the right to override their authority. What they’re really doing is playing politics while their city burns.
Let’s be clear. Portland has been in trouble for years. We’ve seen open-air drug use, violent protests, and a complete lack of respect for law enforcement. The local government has either stood by or, worse, encouraged this kind of behavior. And now, when the federal government tries to step in and help, they want to block it.
This isn’t the first time Trump has run into resistance when trying to send troops to Democrat-run cities. The same story is playing out in places like Chicago and Los Angeles. Crime is out of control, illegal immigration is rising, and local leaders refuse to take responsibility. That’s why the president is stepping in—to protect the American people when their own leaders won’t.
There’s also a related case waiting at the Supreme Court about National Guard deployment in Chicago. If the high court takes it on, the decision could set the rules for cities like Portland and even the whole country. Until then, we’re watching the Oregon case closely.
For those of us who served, this situation is frustrating. The National Guard exists for moments exactly like this. These soldiers are trained, disciplined, and ready to serve. They’re not there to take over—they’re there to support law and order when it’s falling apart. That’s what President Trump is trying to do.
We should never let politics get in the way of public safety. The men and women on the front lines—whether they wear a badge or a uniform—need our support, not more red tape. It’s time for Oregon’s leaders to stop blocking help and start standing up for their own citizens.
President Trump is doing what a commander-in-chief is supposed to do: defend the nation, uphold the law, and protect those who serve. And in places like Portland, that help is long overdue.
