Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek was informed Sunday that the Texas National Guard is preparing a deployment to Oregon and other states, a move supported by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.
MORE: Judge issues new broader order barring any National Guard from relocating to Oregon
The news came as U.S. District Judge Karin J. Immergut was holding a hearing by phone Sunday night after the state of Oregon and City of Portland added California to an amended lawsuit filed against the Trump administration.
During that hearing, Immergut said she was troubled to learn that the Trump administration had already sent about 200 California National Guard members to Oregon and that Texas National Guard members were later authorized to be transferred to Oregon to protect federal property and officers.
She found that the Trump administration was directly violating her prior order, in which she found no justification for federalized military to serve anywhere in the state.
Immergut on Saturday had ordered the Trump administration to halt its mobilization of 200 Oregon National Guard troops to protect the ICE building in Portland and its officers amid nightly protests.
Abbott posted on X on Sunday night that he supports sending Texas troops to other states.
“You can either fully enforce protection for federal employees or get out of the way and let Texas Guard do it,” Abbott posted on X Sunday night.
Abbott’s post came in response to Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, who shared on X that no officials from the federal government called him directly to discuss or coordinate the Texas guard deploying to his state.
Kotek says she was not directly informed either.
Kotek released the following statement after the Oregon National Guard was informed about the Texas deployment:
“I have been notified that the Department of War has ordered the Texas Adjutant General to deploy 400 Texas National Guard members to ‘Illinois, Oregon, and other locations throughout the United States.’
“I have received no direct explanation from President Trump or Secretary Hegseth about the specific need for this action. It is unclear how many will go to what location and what mission they will carry out.
“This is a continuation and escalation of the President’s dangerous, un-American misuse of states’ National Guard members and hard-earned taxpayer dollars.
“I join Illinois Governor JB Pritzker in his call on Texas Governor Greg Abbott to immediately withdraw any support for this decision and refuse to coordinate.
“I will continue to keep the public apprised. As Governor, I will continue to fight to uphold the rule of law and the right to govern ourselves.”
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