Oregon Governor Kotek Orders National Guard Troops to Demobilize

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek has ordered the demobilization of approximately 200 National Guard troops stationed at Camp Rilea, near Astoria. This directive was communicated in a letter to Gen. Gregory Guillot, the head of the United States Northern Command, which emphasizes the need for urgent redeployment.

Details of the Demobilization Order

In her message, Kotek highlighted the importance of the soldiers returning home to their families and careers. She criticized their current mobilization, calling it “an illegal mission.” The governor also extended her order to include California National Guard members currently stationed at Camp Withycombe in Clackamas County.

Concerns About Mission and Training

Governor Kotek expressed that this mission interrupts the vital training schedules of the National Guard. The prolonged deployment comes at a financial cost to taxpayers, which also raised concerns about its overall legality. She stated:

• The soldiers face disruption in their required training and future deployments.
• The mission’s financial implications are burdensome to the American public.

The Legal Battles Surrounding Deployments

The status of Oregon’s National Guard has been complicated by ongoing legal disputes regarding their deployment. Recently, a federal judge, Karin Immergut, blocked President Donald Trump from mobilizing these troops for assignments related to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in South Portland. Immergut indicated that there was insufficient evidence to justify such deployments.

Federal Court Rulings and Their Implications

Immergut’s ruling emphasized the importance of adhering to constitutional law over martial law. She stated:

• The government’s failure to demonstrate a threat to federal operations.
• The necessity to maintain a clear distinction between civil and military authority.

Communication Gaps and Deployment Concerns

Furthermore, Governor Kotek was not formally informed by Trump about the last-minute decision to send 300 California National Guard troops to Oregon. This unknown was communicated to her office through unofficial channels.

The recent deployments have sparked significant discussions about the balance of military and civil powers in the state. Currently, the fate of the Oregon National Guard remains in limbo as the administration plans to appeal Immergut’s decision in the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.