President Donald Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to various U.S. cities has led to legal disputes involving state and local officials. Trump contends that utilizing federal troops is essential to address violence in Democratic-led cities, tackle crime, and support deportation efforts. However, several Democratic governors argue that these deployments may escalate tensions and are unnecessary.
Recently, Illinois filed a lawsuit to prevent the deployment of troops to Chicago, while a federal judge temporarily halted the transfer of National Guard members from Texas and California to Portland, Oregon. These developments continue to unfold as the legal challenges progress.
The National Guard comprises mainly state-based troops who typically respond to natural disasters, protests, and other emergencies. Each U.S. state, along with the District of Columbia and U.S. territories, maintains its own National Guard unit, which can also be deployed internationally. The troops report to the Department of Defense, but their activation usually begins at the state level, initiated by the governor.
Notably, National Guard troops have limited enforcement powers and are restricted by the Posse Comitatus Act, which curtails the federal government’s ability to use military force in domestic matters.
Trump’s attempts to deploy the National Guard have led to legal intrigues, including a move in June where he took control of the California National Guard to address protests linked to immigration policy—despite objections from Governor Gavin Newsom. Legal actions challenging these deployments cite violations related to the Posse Comitatus Act.
Currently, Trump is seeking to activate the National Guard following demonstrations in Portland, where federal officers confronted protesters opposing his immigration policies. The governor of Oregon has stated that there is no insurrection in Portland, contradicting Trump’s claims. Meanwhile, U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut has blocked these proposed deployments, underlining the constitutional law over martial law. The Trump administration plans to appeal these decisions.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy9z7yg2n7o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss