PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Oregon Governor Tina Kotek announced Wednesday that the federal deployment of National Guard troops to Portland could cost taxpayers up to $10 million.
The estimate, calculated by the Oregon Military Department (OMD), follows President Donald Trump’s September 29 order invoking Title 10 to federalize 200 members of the Oregon National Guard.
Cost of Federal Deployment
According to OMD, the projected figure includes troop salaries, food, lodging, supplies, and other operational expenses. Officials cautioned that additional costs may be assessed once the Department of Defense finalizes assignments and duties for the troops on the ground.
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Military officials initially indicated that troops could arrive as early as Thursday. However, logistical delays may push that timeline back.
Kotek: Misplaced Priorities
Governor Kotek strongly criticized the deployment, arguing that the estimated $10 million price tag reflects misplaced federal priorities.
“Our country and our state should be focused on solving real problems,” Kotek said. “Wasting an estimated $10 million on made-up problems is an insult to Americans who are struggling with the cost of living, access to affordable health care, safety in their neighborhoods, and more. Not only is this an abuse of power, it is a dereliction of the president’s duty to solve real problems.”
Kotek has consistently opposed the deployment, calling it “unlawful and unwarranted” and warning it could inflame tensions in Portland rather than reduce them.
Trump Responds
Trump pushed back Wednesday morning on his social media platform, Truth Social, blasting Kotek’s remarks and doubling down on his decision.
“The Governor of Oregon must be living in a ‘Dream World,’” Trump wrote. “Portland is a NEVER-ENDING DISASTER. Many people have been badly hurt, and even killed. It is run like a Third World Country. We’re only going in because, as American Patriots, WE HAVE NO CHOICE. LAW AND ORDER MUST PREVAIL IN OUR CITIES, AND EVERYWHERE ELSE!”
Trump has frequently framed Portland as a symbol of lawlessness, citing unrest near the city’s ICE facility as justification for federal action.
A Continuing Flashpoint
The National Guard deployment is the latest flashpoint in Portland’s ongoing struggle with protest activity, law enforcement response, and federal intervention. The ICE facility in South Portland has remained a recurring center of demonstrations, often drawing national attention.
Supporters of the deployment argue federal forces are necessary to restore order and protect federal property. Critics, including Kotek, counter that the situation has been exaggerated for political gain and that federal involvement risks escalating conflict.
What Comes Next
As of Wednesday evening, no final timeline has been announced for the Guard’s arrival. The Oregon Military Department confirmed that financial planning remains ongoing, and costs could shift depending on how long the troops are stationed in the city.
For now, the debate underscores the sharp divide between Oregon state leadership and the Trump administration over the scope of federal authority, the role of the National Guard, and the true cost—both financial and political—of deploying military resources to Portland.
