The President of the United States, Donald Trump, this weekend intensified his strategy of deploying National Guard troops in various cities and states governed by Democrats, arguing that it is meant to quell unrest and combat crime.
The leader believes that some cities are living in a state of “anarchy” and must be intervened to ensure internal security, even suggesting that these cities serve as “training grounds” for the armed forces against the "internal enemy."
The White House defends these actions as a response to crime, but various state and local authorities accuse Trump of abuse of power, of using the military apparatus as a political tool, and of seeking confrontation with administrations that do not share his ideological stance.
Justice halts the deployment in Portland
In Portland, Oregon, the epicenter of protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a federal judge temporarily blocked the deployment of federalized troops.
Karin Immergut, appointed by Trump himself during his first term, issued a restraining order that prevents the use of National Guard units in the state. The ruling came after the administration attempted to mobilize troops from California and Texas.
The same judge had blocked the use of the Oregon National Guard. Immergut harshly questioned the government's legal team: "Aren't the defendants simply evading my order?" she said.
Telemundo 51 reported that the measure will be in effect for 14 days. A hearing is scheduled for October 17. The governor of Oregon, Tina Kotek, praised the court's decision and warned that the state will confront Trump “at every turn.”
The mayor of Portland, Keith Wilson, condemned the "indiscriminate" use of pepper spray and impact munitions by federal agents during the protests.
Clashes and deployment in Chicago
In Chicago, Illinois, President Trump authorized the deployment of 300 National Guard troops, despite the opposition from Governor J.B. Pritzker, who denounced the measure as “absolutely outrageous and un-American.”
The decision came after clashes between immigration agents and protesters in front of ICE facilities. In one of the incidents, federal agents fired at a driver accused of attempting to ram official vehicles.
The woman was transported to the hospital on her own, and the situation provoked a strong reaction among activists and civil rights advocates.
The National Guard troops have not yet been officially deployed, but their mission would be to protect federal facilities amid rising social tensions.
The secretary of Kristi Noem stated: "I am deploying more special operations to manage the scene. Reinforcements are on the way. If you see a law enforcement officer today, thank them."
Deployments from California and Texas
This weekend, around 200 members of the California National Guard were deployed to Portland. According to court documents, 100 arrived after midnight on Sunday, and another 100 did so during the afternoon.
In addition, the Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, ordered the activation of up to 400 members of the Texas National Guard to be deployed in Oregon, Illinois, and other potential destinations.
Oregon authorities reported that they learned about the deployment from Texas just 24 minutes before the emergency hearing with Judge Immergut.
Meanwhile, the California Military Department confirmed that the Army Northern Command plans to keep the 300 federalized personnel until the end of January.
Legal foundations and judicial warnings
Judge Immergut stated that the use of federal troops without state consent could violate the Tenth Amendment of the Constitution, which guarantees the sovereignty of states against central power.
He also warned that military intervention in civilian affairs “dangerously blurs the line between civil and military federal power, to the detriment of this nation.”
The case recalls a previous ruling in California, where a judge determined that the deployment of the National Guard and the Marine Corps in Los Angeles was illegal. These judicial setbacks have not deterred Trump, who continues to expand the deployments.
National panorama: cities under intervention
In addition to Portland and Chicago, the Trump administration has already deployed forces in other cities governed by Democrats: Washington DC, Los Angeles (California), and Memphis (Tennessee).
The pattern seems clear: the president targets jurisdictions where he perceives that his "law and order" policies are not welcomed.
On social media, California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the deployment as an "abuse of power that takes your breath away" and announced legal actions. The state's Attorney General, Rob Bonta, stated that the president is "taking as much power as the courts will allow."
The series of military deployments ordered by President Trump has created a strong institutional clash with governors and mayors of Democratic states, particularly in Oregon, Illinois, and California.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Deployment of the National Guard in U.S. Cities.
Why has Donald Trump decided to deploy the National Guard in several cities?
Donald Trump has decided to deploy the National Guard in several cities with the argument of quelling unrest and combating crime, especially in areas governed by Democrats, which he claims are in a state of "anarchy." The administration uses these deployments as a measure to ensure internal security and also as training grounds for the armed forces. However, these actions have been criticized by local authorities who view them as an abuse of power and a political tool.
What are the main cities where the National Guard has been deployed?
The major cities where the National Guard has been deployed include Portland, Chicago, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, and Memphis. These areas were chosen by the Trump administration due to their perception that "law and order" policies are not welcomed there, often in Democratic jurisdictions. In many of these cities, the deployment has faced strong resistance from local authorities.
How has the judicial system reacted to the deployment of the National Guard?
The judicial system has responded by halting some of the deployments of the National Guard, as seen in the case of Portland, where a federal judge temporarily blocked the use of federalized troops in the state. Judicial decisions have questioned the legality of these deployments, particularly in terms of violating the Tenth Amendment, which protects state sovereignty against central power. These judicial interventions have been applauded by local authorities who oppose federal intervention.
What criticisms have arisen regarding the deployment of troops in these cities?
The criticism of the troop deployment in these cities focuses on accusations of abuse of power and the use of military force as a political tool. Local authorities and activists have denounced that these actions seek to confront administrations that do not share Trump's ideological line. The indiscriminate use of force, such as pepper spray, and crowd control tactics that have generated significant social and political tensions in the affected areas have also been criticized.
Filed under:
