Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has instructed National Guard units in Oregon to “get ready” as tensions mount between federal and state officials over potential troop deployments in Portland.
Governor Kotek Pushes Back Against Federal Moves
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek said she met with Noem at the Portland International Airport on Tuesday to discuss the growing standoff. Kotek urged Noem to ensure that all federal forces operating in Oregon comply with state laws, reiterating that the situation in Portland does not justify a military response.
“I told Secretary Noem again that there is no insurrection in Oregon,” Kotek said following the meeting. “Twice now, a federal judge has affirmed there is no legal basis for military deployment in Portland. I have confidence in local law enforcement to meet the moment.”
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The conversation follows President Donald Trump’s call last week to deploy National Guard troops to Portland to “protect federal property,” particularly the ICE facility that has been the focus of ongoing demonstrations.
ICE Facility Becomes Flashpoint
Protests outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in South Portland have continued for several weeks, with demonstrators opposing the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement tactics. The protests have drawn both activists and counterprotesters, sometimes resulting in tense exchanges.
On Sunday, ICE posted a video on X (formerly Twitter) showing a protester being dragged away in a cart — a post that quickly drew backlash from civil rights advocates and state officials.
“We hope to have peace and secure partnerships that will keep our officers safe and allow us to enforce federal law,” Noem told KGW News after touring the ICE facility.
Noem visited the building on Sunday, joined by reporters and photographers as she viewed the protests from the rooftop alongside ICE agents and social media personalities documenting the scene.
Federal Orders Face Legal Pushback
The Trump administration’s effort to deploy the National Guard in Portland hit a legal roadblock over the weekend. A Trump-appointed federal judge in Oregon issued a second temporary restraining order on Sunday night, blocking federal officials from circumventing an earlier ruling that halted troop deployments.
The ruling came just one day after Trump’s administration attempted to expand the deployment authority to include National Guard units from California and Texas.
Despite the federal orders, Governor Kotek maintained that Oregon remains opposed to any form of military policing within its borders. “I requested that DHS and ICE agents obey Oregon laws when conducting operations,” she said. “Oregon is united against military intervention in our communities.”
Protests Continue Amid Political Friction
On Sunday, dozens of demonstrators gathered once again outside the ICE building, waving signs and chanting slogans denouncing federal intervention. Protesters called for immigration reform and the withdrawal of federal enforcement officers from Portland.
ICE agents were seen positioned on the building’s roof while protesters marched below. Some influencers and livestreamers documented the protest, amplifying tensions on social media.
A Longstanding Political Divide
For years, President Trump has portrayed Portland as a “war-ravaged” city overrun by anarchists — a characterization that local leaders and residents have strongly rejected. State officials say these narratives have only deepened political divides and created confusion about Portland’s real conditions.
As legal battles continue, both state and federal officials remain at odds over how to handle the situation. For now, Oregon’s National Guard remains on standby — caught between federal directives and the state’s determination to prevent military intervention on its streets.
