PORTLAND, Ore. – Newly released documents reveal that the Trump administration gave Oregon Governor Tina Kotek just 12 hours to mobilize 200 members of the Oregon National Guard in Portland before federal authorities stepped in themselves.
The documents, obtained through a public records request by Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB), provide the most detailed look yet at the tense back-and-forth between state and federal officials that culminated in a contested deployment order—and a sharp escalation of political and legal tensions.
A High-Stakes Ultimatum
The deadline was laid out in a memo signed by Major General Timothy Rieger of the National Guard Bureau shortly before 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time on Saturday.
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“If [Oregon National Guard] forces are not mobilized in the next 12 hours, the Secretary of War may direct the mobilization of as many members of the ORNG as he may deem necessary,” the memo read.
Rieger stressed urgency: “We believe time is of the essence and failure to mobilize sufficient forces quickly to address the situation may risk lives and property damage.”
The National Guard Bureau operates within the Pentagon and oversees coordination between the federal government and state guard units.
Kotek Pushes Back
The ultimatum set off a flurry of communications. According to the records, Gov. Kotek first spoke with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who had requested a troop presence in Portland the day before. She then called President Donald Trump directly.
During the call, Kotek reportedly told Trump that federal troops were unnecessary to address what she described as a “small but persistent” group of protesters outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in South Portland.
Despite her objections, the White House pressed forward.
At 7 p.m. on Saturday—just before the 12-hour window closed—Brig. Gen. Alan Gronewold of the Oregon Military Department emailed Rieger, noting the governor’s refusal:
“While I was not party to the conversation, the Governor expressed to the President that mobilization of the National Guard is not necessary at this time and does not agree to Title 32 mobilization.”
By the next morning, the Trump administration followed through on its threat, nationalizing 200 members of the Oregon National Guard for a 60-day mission.
Broken Promises
Gov. Kotek has since accused Trump of breaking a personal promise to consult with her before federalizing Oregon’s guard. In text messages later obtained by OPB, she told one of the president’s aides: “You broke your promise to speak with me before taking further action.”
The newly released memos offer insight not only into the abrupt nature of the decision, but also into the federal government’s framing of the Portland protests.
DHS Justification for Troops
In a memo sent the day before the deadline, the Department of Homeland Security argued that troop mobilization was warranted because of a “coordinated assault by violent groups intent on obstructing lawful enforcement actions.”
The memo further claimed protesters were “actively aligned with designated domestic terrorist organizations.” That language appeared to reference Trump’s controversial order labeling Antifa a terrorist group.
According to DHS, guard members would perform duties such as “federal facility protection, access control, and crowd control measures.” The memo asked that deployments continue “as long as unrest in Portland persists.”
Local Reality vs. Federal Narrative
Portland police officials, however, have repeatedly stated they do not need National Guard assistance. The protests outside the ICE facility have typically involved only a few dozen demonstrators, though participation has grown since the announcement of a federal deployment.
Mayor Keith Wilson and Police Chief Bob Day both maintain that the city remains calm outside of small protest zones. State officials have accused the Trump administration of exaggerating conditions for political purposes.
Trump Escalates His Criticism
The president has used social media to amplify his stance. On Wednesday morning, Trump posted on Truth Social that “conditions continue to deteriorate into lawless mayhem” and that guard troops were already “in place.”
He also renewed his attacks on Kotek.
“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.”
Legal and Financial Fallout
The legality of the deployment is already under challenge. Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield has filed suit, arguing that the move violates the Posse Comitatus Act, which bars military forces from being used in domestic law enforcement except under very limited circumstances.
At the same time, the cost of the mobilization remains a moving target.
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On Tuesday, the Oregon Military Department estimated $3.8 million in soldier salaries alone.
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By Wednesday, Kotek’s office said the full cost could reach $10 million, once lodging, meals, supplies, and other logistical needs are factored in.
The Department of Defense has not released a full breakdown of anticipated expenses.
Troops Not Yet on the Ground
Despite the nationalization order, the Oregon National Guard said Tuesday that the 200 members designated for the mission are still being processed and trained. It could take days before any of them actually arrive in Portland.
If Oregon’s legal challenge is successful in federal court, the deployment could be blocked before it ever formally begins.
A Community on Edge
For Portland residents, the looming presence of federal troops has reignited memories of 2020, when federal agents clashed with protesters during nightly demonstrations downtown. Many worry that a renewed military presence will inflame tensions rather than calm them.
Civil rights groups, including the ACLU, have warned that the deployment is designed to intimidate protesters and undermine constitutional freedoms. “This is not about safety,” one statement read. “This is about political theater at the expense of civil liberties.”
Conclusion
The 12-hour deadline memo highlights how rapidly the Trump administration escalated pressure on Oregon’s governor to accept a federal role in local protest management. What began as a relatively small demonstration outside Portland’s ICE facility has now spiraled into a test case over federal authority, state sovereignty, and the limits of military involvement in civilian law enforcement.
With legal battles looming, costs mounting, and trust between state and federal leaders in tatters, Portland sits once again at the center of a national conflict—one where the outcome could shape the boundaries of federal power for years to come.
