‘The fight is not over’: Governor Kotek, lawmakers react to federal appeals court ruling to allow Guard troops in Portland
(Update: Adding statements from Rep. Dwayne Yunker, R-Grants Pass, Senator Kayse Jama, D-Portland)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Governor Tina Kotek and lawmakers from both sides of the aisle offered reactions to a Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling Monday that said President Trump's administration can deploy National Guard troops to Portland.
At a press conference livestreamed on KTVZ+, Kotek said the current situation is unclear because U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut issued a second temporary restraining order against the deployment that was not the focus of Monday's 2-1 ruling.
"This is a civilian local law enforcement matter, and I think our first step would be to figure out what is needed on the ground to keep everybody safe," Kotek said. And I don't think we know what that is yet, because we do not know how the Guard members, potentially under the authority of the president, would be deployed. There's just too many unknowns at the moment."
On a related note, she added later: "At this point today, both the Oregon National Guard and the California National Guard continue to be in limbo. The president does not have the authority, because of the second temporary restraining order, to deploy, and we will be waiting to see what Judge Immergut decides to do."
Here are the full news releases received Monday by KTVZ News in the wake of the court ruling:
Governor Kotek, Attorney General Rayfield, Mayor Wilson Condemn Unnecessary, Unwanted Military Intervention
Oregon leaders remain united in the fight against unwanted, unneeded military intervention in Oregon
Sisters, OR – Today, Governor Tina Kotek, Attorney General Dan Rayfield, and Portland Mayor Keith Wilson issued a response to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that the Trump Administration can deploy National Guard troops to Oregon in a 2 to 1 decision.
Governor Kotek issued the following statement:
"Oregon remains united in the fight against this unwanted, unneeded military intervention in Oregon. We will continue to show up for our neighbors, make our voices heard, and use our collective power to protect communities and our democracy.
"Over the weekend, people across Oregon gathered peacefully to send a message that the Trump Administration is being dishonest, and these actions to deploy troops are a gross, un-American abuse of power.
"I have repeatedly called on the Trump Administration to tell the public exactly what mission he expects National Guard members to do. These citizen soldiers have been pulled away from their families and jobs for weeks to carry some kind of mission in Oregon. They have been silent.
"Right now, until the district court acts on the second TRO, National Guard members from Oregon, or any other state cannot deploy. I support Attorney General Dan Rayfield’s efforts to continue fighting this in court and will continue to do everything in my power to defend the health, safety, and prosperity of every Oregonian. The fight is not over."
Attorney General Rayfield issued the following statement:
“Today’s ruling, if allowed to stand, would give the president unilateral power to put Oregon soldiers on our streets with almost no justification. We are on a dangerous path in America.
“Oregon joins Judge Graber in urging the full Ninth Circuit to ‘act swiftly’ en banc ‘to vacate the majority’s order before the illegal deployment of troops under false pretenses can occur.’ And, like her, we ‘ask those who are watching this case unfold to retain faith in our judicial system for just a little while longer.’
“Members of the Oregon National Guard are our neighbors, family members, and friends. Their safety is important. As a community, we need to come together and help make sure they are sent home as soon as possible. That means keeping Portland peaceful and safe while our fight in the court moves forward.”
Mayor Wilson issued the following statement:
“Portland stands for democracy, dignity, and the right to peacefully protest. Our focus is simple and unchanging: we demand transparency, accountability, and community-led solutions, not troops on our streets. Our National Guard members are our neighbors, coworkers, and loved ones, and they deserve better than this unnecessary, unwanted deployment.
“We will not stand by while federal agencies sidestep local authority. Our legal team, working with the Oregon Department of Justice, will use every lawful tool to prevent this overreach. I call on federal decision-makers to stop these deployments, honor local governance, and partner with us on real public-safety solutions that respect civil rights and protect our community."
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Editor's note: The 200 Oregon National Guard under title 10 that this ruling applies to are under the command of Northern Command and the United States Secretary of War. The Trump administration has refused to release details about their mission when requested. Please direct questions regarding their mission to the federal government.
Majority Leader Bowman Releases Statement on the 9th Circuit Allowing Troops to Deploy to Oregon
SALEM, Ore. – Today, House Majority Leader Ben Bowman (D-Tigard, Metzger, & S. Beaverton) issued the following statement in response to the decision to allow troops into Oregon:
“Portland is moving in the right direction. Sadly, the Trump Administration is actively making things harder for local leaders. The idea that there is a ‘threat of rebellion’ from a smattering of inflatable frogs and chicken costumes is laughable.
Oregonians should be united against this action. Instead of blaming local law enforcement, I call on my Republican colleagues to join state leaders, local elected officials, the Portland Metro Chamber, and the tens of thousands of Oregonians who peacefully protested this weekend in speaking out against this clear federal overreach.”
President Wagner, Speaker Fahey Respond to Ninth Circuit Ruling on Federal Troops in Portland
The Legislature's presiding officers call on Oregonians to remain peaceful despite federal provocation, overreach
SALEM, Ore. – Today, House Speaker Julie Fahey (D-Eugene) and Senate President Rob Wagner (D-Lake Oswego) are releasing the following statements in response to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision on President Trump's attempts to deploy federal troops to Portland:
“Oregonians have remained peaceful and united in the face of extraordinary provocation. We have gathered in community, not conflict. We have stood for justice, not violence. If this ruling stands and troops are deployed against our people, it would be an act of authoritarianism, not an act of protection,” Speaker Fahey said. "I’m grateful to Attorney General Dan Rayfield for continuing to push back, and to my fellow Oregonians for continuing to meet this moment with calm, courage, and conviction.”
“Despite unprecedented aggression from the federal administration, the people of Portland have shown a commitment to peaceful protest. I stand with them. It is wrong for President Trump to deploy troops into American cities against civilians and without consent of state and local elected officials," President Wagner said. "This provocation from the president and his administration must end.”
Rep. Yunker Releases Statement on the 9th Circuit Allowing Troops to Deploy to Oregon
GRANTS PASS, ORE. Reacting to the Ninth Circuit’s Oct. 20 ruling allowing President Trump to deploy National Guard troops to secure the Portland ICE facility amid months of documented violence and coordinated agitator tactics, Representative Dwayne Yunker (R-Grants Pass) issued the following statement:
“As someone with extensive military training, I know the difference between lawful protest and coordinated disruption,” said Representative Yunker. “What’s been happening in Portland is a calculated campaign to destabilize and bait law enforcement.”
“After President Trump announced his decision last month to deploy the National Guard, agitators and their funders pivoted from riots and violence to inflatable costumes and propaganda in an attempt to whitewash months of destruction,” said Representative Yunker. “And right on cue, the usual political mouthpieces step up to pretend the frogs and chickens are the story, not the violence. They’re useful functionaries, nothing more.”
“I stand with President Trump on deploying the National Guard to restore order,” said Representative Yunker. “And I support using the RICO Act to go after the funders who are bankrolling this chaos.”
Statement from Senate Majority Leader Kayse Jama on Ruling from the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals
SALEM, Ore. – After a three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling today to allow deployment of National Guard forces in Oregon, Senate Majority Leader Kayse Jama (D – E Portland, Boring & Damascus) made this statement on the matter:
"Saturday’s peaceful demonstrations all over the state showed how well Oregonians and local law enforcement work together to maintain public safety. That’s one reason it is puzzling that a three-judge panel of 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the president can deploy the National Guard in our state.
“Oregon does not need federalized armed forces fortifying government buildings, and I join Governor Tina Kotek and Attorney General Dan Rayfield in urging the full 9th Circuit to vacate the panel’s order.
“I also recognize the sacrifices made by Oregon National Guard members, who leave their homes, families, and jobs when they are ordered to deploy. National Guard soldiers are our neighbors, and they have my respect and appreciation in this turbulent time.”
