U.S. Court Allows Trump Command of Oregon National Guard Troops

A U.S. appeals court has ruled that President Donald Trump can take command of 200 Oregon National Guard troops, although he remains prohibited from deploying them for the time being. The decision, issued by a panel from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, was made on March 18, 2024, with a 2-1 vote to temporarily lift an earlier order that restricted Trump’s authority over the troops.

The court’s ruling allows Trump to assume command, yet another order still blocks any deployment of the National Guard troops to Oregon. The administration is actively seeking to have this prohibition lifted, which has sparked a response from Oregon’s Attorney General. He has indicated plans to petition a broader panel of the appeals court to reconsider the ruling that permits Trump to take command.

This legal back-and-forth comes amid ongoing tensions regarding the use of National Guard troops in various capacities across the country. The situation in Oregon has drawn significant attention, particularly as it intersects with broader political and military considerations.

The outcome of this case could have implications for the management of state and federal troops, especially in how they are deployed in response to local needs and federal directives. As legal discussions continue, the focus remains on the balance of power between state authorities and the federal government in military command issues.

For now, the deployment of the Oregon National Guard troops remains on hold, with both sides preparing for potential further legal battles in the coming weeks. The final outcome will likely hinge not only on the court’s decisions but also on the ongoing political landscape and the evolving relationship between state and federal governance.