In a move that’s already sparking a constitutional firestorm, President Donald Trump has ordered 300 California National Guard troops into Oregon — a day after a federal judge blocked him from doing exactly that.
California Governor Gavin Newsom confirmed the deployment on Sunday and didn’t mince words about what he thinks is happening: “This is a breathtaking abuse of the law and power,” he said in a sharply worded statement, adding that California plans to sue the Trump administration over the move.
The troops, according to Newsom, were sent to Portland following a direct order from the president, despite a temporary restraining order issued Saturday that was meant to halt any such action. The Trump administration has already signaled its intent to appeal the ruling, but in the meantime, boots are en route — legal ruling be damned.
So far, the White House has stayed silent on the decision to override a federal court’s order. Multiple requests for comment have gone unanswered.
The escalation marks a serious clash between the executive branch and the judiciary — not to mention a growing rift between Washington and state governments like California’s. While Trump insists the troop movement is necessary to “restore order” in Portland — a claim he has made repeatedly — critics see something much darker: a president steamrolling the law to enforce his own will.
Legal scholars are already raising red flags. Sending National Guard troops across state lines without consent or clear federal authority — and in direct defiance of a judge’s ruling — could set off a high-stakes legal battle with far-reaching consequences.
This is not the first time Trump has been accused of stretching the limits of presidential power, but it may be one of the most blatant. Ignoring a court order isn’t just a political move — it’s a direct challenge to the rule of law.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
