Posted on 09/28/2025 3:15:25 PM PDT by TigerClaws
PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield announced that the state, along with the City of Portland, has filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump and several federal officials.
The move comes after Trump invoked Title 10, authorizing 200 Guard members to perform federal duties for 60 days, including protecting federal property amid protests.
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon, contends that the President lacks authority to federalize the Guard, as there is no invasion, rebellion, or inability to execute federal laws in Oregon. Gov. Kotek expressed her concerns, stating, "There is no insurrection or threat to public safety that necessitates military intervention in Portland or any other city in our state." She emphasized that deploying the National Guard on Oregon streets is "an abuse of power and a disservice to our communities and our service members."
Attorney General Rayfield filed a preliminary injunction in U.S. District Court, arguing that the President's order violates the Posse Comitatus Act and infringes on the 10th Amendment. Rayfield stated, "Oregon communities are stable, and our local officials have been clear: we have the capacity to manage public safety without federal interference." The lawsuit seeks to halt the federalization order, asserting that claims of Portland being ungovernable are "false and fictional."
Gov. Tina Kotek echoed Rayfield's sentiments, stating, "There is no insurrection or threat to public safety that necessitates military intervention in Portland or any other city in our state." She described the federalization as unnecessary and unlawful, asserting it would make Oregonians less safe.
"This is about defending both the Constitution and the rights of Oregonians," Rayfield said. "We won’t allow the federal government to turn our communities into a political stage."
The lawsuit argues that the federalization order is based on false claims about Portland's stability and violates the Posse Comitatus Act and the 10th Amendment.
Oregon officials, including the Portland Police Bureau, have confirmed their ability to maintain public safety without federal troops.
The state seeks immediate court relief to declare the federalization unlawful and halt the President's order. "This is about defending both the Constitution and the rights of Oregonians," Rayfield said. "We won’t allow the federal government to turn our communities into a political stage."
President Trump invoked Title 10
Gov. Kotek, Portland Mayor Keith Wilson, and Attorney General Rayfield held a virtual press conference today to address the lawsuit.
They announced plans to file a temporary restraining order within the next 24 hours to prevent the deployment.
During the press conference, the governor confirmed that President Trump invoked Title 10 in a message to Kotek this morning, who disagreed, stating that conditions in Oregon do not warrant such action.
"We had a text exchange today and what I can say is the text exchange started with the assumption we would continue to have conversations, then we received notice that he they were invoking title 10 and I expressed my disagreement and disgruntlement with that decision, and that’s where we’ve left it," Kotek said.
Gov. Kotek expressed concern over the mission's lack of clarity, saying, "It's unclear what the mission is and when you don't have a clear idea of what the mission is, you don't know when it will end."
Says the state that is blocking federal laws of immigration, leading to an invasion of tens of millions of illegals, while people in Oregon openly rebel against ICE agents trying to protect America from invasion.
(((YAWN))) Have they got permission from their Aunteefus massas and their 400lb, AR15 totin’, Ghillies suit wearin’, Darien Gap mammies yet?
Oh, Noes! Who didn’t see this coming?
Keep digging Socialist Democrats! Keep showing THE WORLD just WHO YOU ARE! Loving ILLEGAL INVADERS over Americans! Welcoming CHAOS over Law & Order!
Morons. But - keep it up! :)
Two of the three branches of our government are abusing their power on a regular basis. That would be Congress and the courts.
Congress for doing too little and the courts for doing too much.
Bingo!! You are way smarter than the Oregon Gov and AG.
And here’s hoping this costs the demonrats in the midterms big time!
Well said.
But not the will....
Refusing to enforce the laws of your city and State to control terrorism is the real abuse of power.
LA and Cali already lost that argument. As for the Portland police, they claim to be able to maintain order in the city. Obviously they choose not to contain riots.
Power abuse?
No, kid, that is all you!
YOU are supposed to keep the streets safe, have you?
They are all American bcitizens, so THE PRESIDENT is taking charge.
This goes nowhere. The POTUS is within his prerogative to order national guard troops into place (title 10) as long as they do not act for civil crime actions and deal only with federal actions unless attacked. If the state doesn’t pay for it, title 32, (SAD) orders, they have no say.
wy69
Like NYC, OR is full of communists of every size and degree wielding their power absolutely.
We are so divided, and there is no way to find common ground with people who hate the country you love and the principles you embrace.
We are so divided, and there is no way to find common ground with people who hate the country you love and the principles you embrace.
“as there is no invasion, rebellion, or inability to execute federal laws in Oregon”
That is the description of Oregon.
Once again, libs painted into an ideological corner.
By suing Trump, they are saying they are fine with the condition of Portland and other Oregon cities. They could not be more clear.
Once again, libs painted into an ideological corner.
By suing Trump, they are saying they are fine with the condition of Portland and other Oregon cities. They could not be more clear.
From my recollection the Posse Comitatus Act forbids US Army commanders from being called in by local officials for assistance.
In any case, Trump has characterized this as an invasion of illegals, making his claim of authority to act clear as CINC under Article II.
The Dems are basically trying to nullify Federal authority, just as they did before and at the outbreak of the Civil War. They're hoping this time the Federal courts will assist them.
The proper response of any military officer receiving a court order is to look at the signature and say, "Not in my chain of command."
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.