Secretary of Defense calls up 200 Oregon Guardsmen for Federal Service

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has issued a memorandum to the Adjutant General of the Oregon National Guard, announcing the immediate call-up of 200 Guardsmen into Federal Service for a period of at least sixty days. This decision places the Guardsmen under the control of U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) and was made against the wishes of Oregon Governor Tina Kotek.

This move has drawn comparisons to a previous incident in June, when the federal government federalized the California National Guard despite opposition from Governor Gavin Newsom. A federal judge later deemed that action illegal and in violation of the Posse Comitatus Act in September.

The current situation reflects ongoing tensions between state and federal authorities regarding the deployment of National Guard units. As previously reported, the state of Oregon and the city of Portland have filed an injunction against the federalization of the National Guard, highlighting the legal complexities surrounding this issue.

For more information on related coverage, see Oregon and Portland file injunction against federalizing National Guard.