The Oregon National Guard has initiated the mobilization process for guard members with law enforcement experience, in compliance with President Donald Trump’s order to deploy 200 troops in Portland. However, actual deployment may not occur until next week.
Lt. Col. Stephen Bomar, the director of public affairs for the Oregon Military Department, stated that Thursday is the earliest possible arrival date for the guard in Portland, though he believes that is unlikely.
Mobilization requires a vetting process to confirm qualifications that lasts 96 hours. Some members may also need additional training prior to deployment.
Bomar explained, “If we had everything all ready to go, the earliest would be shortly after that 96-hour mark, but I do not see that happening in this case.”
Complicating the mobilization effort is the lack of typical coordination between the guard, state agencies, the Portland Police Bureau, and the Multnomah Sheriff’s office, which could further delay the process.
From a pool of 300 guard members trained as military police or certified by the state’s police standards agency, 166 have volunteered for service in Portland, primarily from the I-5 corridor.
This scenario is unprecedented since it marks the first time that Oregon’s National Guard has been deployed within the state against the objections of its governor. Previously, the only deployment occurred post-September 11, 2001, for airport security.
The National Guard has a history of being called upon for public safety and civil unrest situations. In November 2020, former Governor Kate Brown activated the guard for four days to support state and local police during protests. The guard also responded during the Rajneeshee incident in the mid-1980s and a fishermen’s strike in Astoria in 1896.
Lt. Col. Bomar emphasized the National Guard’s obligation to follow lawful orders, noting, “We swear an oath to obey the orders of the President of the United States and to obey the orders of the governor of the state of Oregon. These are lawful orders until deemed otherwise.”
In light of Trump’s deployment order, Oregon’s elected officials, including Attorney General Dan Rayfield, Governor Tina Kotek, and Portland Mayor Keith Wilson, have filed a lawsuit and a restraining order to block the president’s actions. They argue that the president’s legal authority has been exceeded and there is no considerable public safety threat that justifies a military response.
U.S. District Court Judge Michael Simon is scheduled to hear oral arguments on the case Friday.
The primary role of the National Guard troops will be to provide security for federal buildings. It remains unclear where the troops will be stationed or if they will be armed. Bomar confirmed that they will not assist with immigration enforcement or other law enforcement duties.
The troops will be commanded by Lt. Col. Charles Patzner, who will coordinate with United States Northern Command to determine deployment locations.
Bomar suggested that if no guard presence is deemed necessary, a stand-down could occur: “If it isn’t secure and it is chaotic, then that will also get voiced up that chain of command.”
City officials in Portland are left uninformed about the details surrounding the potential deployment of National Guard troops. Some tactics witnessed over the weekend remain unclear to them.
One specific query concerns the helicopter that hovered near the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building during protests, with Portland Police Chief Bob Day stating, “I hear it as well but I have no details on that.”
Additionally, the FBI reported searching a residence linked to an individual who allegedly aimed a laser at a helicopter operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. During the search, agents confiscated the laser and arrested four individuals suspected of being in the country unlawfully; they were subsequently handed over to ICE.
Despite the chaotic surroundings, Chief Day expressed doubt about the need for federal intervention to maintain safety in the city. He remarked, “This is one city block. The city of Portland is 145 square miles. And even the events that are happening down there do not rise to the level of attention that they are receiving.”
Sunday witnessed the highest number of protesters of the weekend, coinciding with Trump’s announcement regarding the National Guard deployment. The protests included counter-protesters, leading to contentious exchanges and some violence.
Portland police made their first two arrests at the ICE facility in three months on Sunday night: a 17-year-old charged with misdemeanor assault and a 38-year-old man charged with felony assault.
In contrast to past events, the police have adopted a more restrained strategy compared to 2020, when protests following George Floyd’s death prompted more than 100 nights of unrest in Portland, often resulting in conflicts with law enforcement.
Today, the bureau is employing a less aggressive approach, utilizing bicycle officers in bright uniforms to target specific individuals rather than entire crowds, along with “dialogue officers” who aim to maintain open communication and reduce tension.
Chief Day remarked, “It is a totally different landscape” compared to 2020. “Even though we had some disturbances at the facility, after some quick, targeted arrests, it quickly dissipated and that was the end of the story.”
Nevertheless, the overall perception of Portland protests remains influenced by past images and narratives. Beaverton Mayor Lacey Beaty expressed concern that the president is relying on outdated clips to shape his perspective, stating, “The president cannot watch footage from over a half-decade ago and believe this is the Portland that we’re standing in today.”
Beaty, a U.S. Army veteran and the spouse of an active Oregon National Guard member, contended that local leadership is best positioned to assess the need for federal intervention.
“We’re the level of government closest to our people,” she said. “Listen to the people who know our community the best.”
Local officials indicated that they were not included in discussions about the precise role of the National Guard during the planned 60-day deployment. The Department of Defense’s initial memo outlined that the troops would be tasked with protecting federal properties and personnel, but there was no reference to enforcing immigration laws.
Chief Day acknowledged that several Portland police officers serve in the National Guard but clarified that he was not informed of any current officers being called up. He stressed that the unclear intentions of the federal government would not alter the bureau’s existing strategy.
“We’re going to be consistent in what we do on a daily basis. And we’re going to have to adjust. That doesn’t mean that I’m naive or not paying attention to these outside influences, but the message of the Portland police bureau is: We’re going to stay fixed on our goals.”
image source from：opb
