Oregon National Guard Returns Home After Federal Deployment Ends

All members of the Oregon National Guard deployed under federal orders will return home, as announced by Governor Tina Kotek on Wednesday. This decision follows the Trump administration’s attempts to maintain the deployment of these troops in Portland, a move that faced legal challenges and widespread criticism.

The announcement comes after U.S. Northern Command confirmed that the 200 Oregon Guard members, initially federalized on September 28, 2025, will be demobilized and returned to state control. Earlier this week, Kotek expressed concern when the federal government ordered half of the troops home while extending deployment for the remaining members.

“They spent nearly 50 days away from their families, friends, and civilian jobs on an unnecessary mission that cost taxpayers $16 million,” Kotek stated. She urged President Trump to focus on pressing national issues, such as healthcare affordability and the rising cost of living, rather than on controversial military deployments.

The federalized Oregon troops had been stationed at a coastal training camp while awaiting the resolution of legal disputes. On October 4, U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut issued a ruling that blocked the deployment, determining that the ongoing protests outside the city’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility did not constitute a “rebellion” against the federal government. This ruling remains under appeal by the Trump administration in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

In addition to the Oregon troops, another 200 members of the California National Guard were also sent to Oregon following Immergut’s initial order. The Oregon Military Department has estimated that the overall deployment cost taxpayers a substantial amount, and the National Guard members will need to travel to Texas for demobilization. This process includes necessary medical and mental health screenings.

As of now, it is uncertain whether these troops will reunite with their families in Oregon by Thanksgiving. The end of this deployment marks a significant shift in the state’s response to federal military involvement in local protests, as Governor Kotek emphasizes the need for a focus on local community challenges rather than federal military interventions.