President Donald Trump has authorized the deployment of the National Guard to Chicago, the White House confirmed on Saturday, even as a federal judge blocked a similar move in Portland, Oregon.
White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said the president had authorised the use of Illinois National Guard members, citing what she described as “ongoing violent riots and lawlessness” that local leaders had failed to quell.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker criticised the decision, calling it unnecessary and “a manufactured performance”. The move comes amid ongoing civil unrest in several US cities.
In Oregon, US District Judge Karin Immergut granted a restraining order against the deployment of federalised National Guard troops to Portland, agreeing with the state that it would likely inflame rather than calm protests.
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek welcomed the ruling, stating: “Today’s ruling validates what Oregonians already know: justice has been served, and the truth has prevailed. There is no insurrection in Portland. No threat to national security. No fires, no bombs, no fatalities due to civil unrest.”
