Oregon's Prepared Stand Against Federal Troops
In a surprising turn of events, Oregon found itself at the center of a political storm when President Trump ordered the deployment of 200 National Guard troops to Portland. This move, which Trump claimed was necessary to address a "war-ravaged" city, was met with swift resistance from state and local leaders.
Governor Tina Kotek's Preparedness
The governor of Oregon, Tina Kotek, had been preparing for such a scenario for months. Back in December, she began holding meetings with top state officials to discuss potential threats posed by the incoming Trump administration. These threats ranged from tariffs and mass deportations to the federal government taking control of the state's National Guard.
As the situation in Portland heated up, Kotek ramped up her preparations. In May, she and Attorney General Dan Rayfield started holding regular briefings and scenario planning sessions. They even brought in representatives from the Oregon Military Department to discuss how the state might respond if Trump federalized the National Guard or invoked the Insurrection Act.
Coordinated Response
When Trump did just that, ordering the deployment of troops to Portland, Kotek was ready. She and other state and local leaders had been in constant communication, coordinating their response and preparing for the worst. They even set up a formal coordination effort with a host of agencies and local governments, meeting every other day to discuss the situation.
Legal Action and Criticism
Kotek's preparedness paid off. She was able to quickly respond to Trump's order, suing to block the deployment and seeking a temporary restraining order. She also made it clear that Oregon would not stand for the Trump administration's attempts to undermine the state's values and constitutional rights.
But not everyone was impressed with Kotek's response. Abigail Jackson, a White House deputy press secretary, blasted the governor's remarks, accusing her and other local leaders of refusing to take action while rioters in Portland committed arson and assaulted police officers.
Kotek's Commitment
Despite the criticism, Kotek remained steadfast in her commitment to protecting Oregon's values and constitutional rights. She praised her partners for helping position the state to push back against what she called "senseless attacks" on Oregon.