Appeals Court Allows Trump to Command Oregon National Guard Troops

A U.S. appeals court has determined that President Donald Trump can assume command of 200 Oregon National Guard troops, although their deployment remains temporarily blocked. The decision, rendered by a panel from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on March 18, 2024, puts a hold on a prior order that prevented Trump from taking command of the troops.

While the court’s ruling allows for the command structure, it does not permit the deployment of these National Guard members to Oregon at this time. A separate court order continues to prohibit Trump from sending any Guard troops to the state. The Trump administration is now seeking to have this deployment prohibition lifted.

Oregon’s Attorney General has indicated plans to challenge the appeals court ruling, stating intentions to ask a larger panel of the court to reconsider the decision. This legal battle underscores ongoing tensions between the federal government and state authorities regarding the deployment and command of National Guard troops.

The implications of this ruling extend beyond the immediate legal landscape, reflecting broader issues surrounding federal and state jurisdiction over military resources. As the situation develops, further legal challenges are anticipated, which may shape the future of command authority for the National Guard in Oregon and potentially other states.