Since assuming office, President Donald Trump has repeatedly stirred controversy with his unconventional deployment of the National Guard, traditionally a state-based force reserved for natural disasters or large-scale protests. Trump has sought to repurpose these troops to address political unrest in major U.S. cities, particularly in response to protests against his immigration policies. He argues that the National Guard is essential to quell violence, support deportation initiatives, and combat crime in Democratic-controlled cities. However, critics, including former military officials, Democratic governors, and federal judges, have raised concerns about the politicization of the military and potential overreach of presidential authority. The latest flashpoint occurred in early October when Trump attempted to deploy National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon, where protests erupted outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building. A federal judge temporarily blocked the move, and the legal battle continues. The National Guard, which operates under state governors during emergencies, can be federalized by the president under specific circumstances. Trump has invoked U.S. Code § 12406, which allows the president to call National Guard troops into federal service in cases of invasion or rebellion, to support ICE missions. However, his actions have faced legal challenges, including a ruling that his deployment of troops in Los Angeles violated the Posse Comitatus Act, which restricts the use of military force for domestic matters. Trump’s recent attempt to send 300 National Guard troops to Chicago following immigration protests has also drawn criticism, with Illinois Governor JB Pritzker accusing him of manufacturing a crisis. In Portland, federal law enforcement clashed with demonstrators opposing Trump’s mass deportation initiative, leading to arrests and the use of tear gas. Despite Trump’s claims of lawlessness, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek dismissed the notion of an insurrection or national security threat. The Trump administration is expected to appeal the recent court rulings blocking his deployment of the National Guard in Oregon.