The Trump administration is suing to keep control of Oregon’s National Guard troops—and it’s a direct threat to state sovereignty and the rule of law.

Earlier this month, a federal judge ruled that the president did not have lawful grounds to federalize Oregon’s Guard and deploy troops to an ICE facility in Portland. The court found the deployment was unjustified and violated the state's constitutional rights. But instead of respecting that decision, the Trump administration has filed an emergency appeal to override the ruling and keep those troops under federal control.

This isn’t just about Oregon. If the federal government can seize control of a state’s National Guard without clear legal cause, what’s to stop it from doing the same anywhere else? This kind of overreach sets a dangerous precedent for unchecked executive power.

The evidence in court showed that any large-scale protests outside the ICE facility dropped off months ago. The justification for this military presence simply doesn’t exist. Even the judge noted there was no proof these protests were interfering with immigration enforcement in any meaningful way.

The Oregon National Guard is meant to serve Oregonians, not to be used as a political tool by the federal government. The people of this state deserve to know their governor and lawmakers, not Washington, have control over their own troops unless a true national emergency exists.

We call on the U.S. Court of Appeals to uphold the lower court’s ruling and reject this lawsuit. We urge lawmakers and the public to speak out now and defend the legal boundaries that protect every state’s right to self-governance.

Add your name if you agree: Oregon’s Guard should be under Oregon’s control.

Photo: OPB