‘Friends and neighbors’: Oregon Guard chief describes who Portland’s deployed troops really are

PORTLAND, Ore. — As court challenges unfold over President Donald Trump’s decision to send National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon’s adjutant general says 200 federalized service members remain on standby awaiting their mission orders.

The state’s top military leader, Brig. Gen. Alan Gronewold, appeared at a guest on KGW’s “Straight Talk” on Thursday, where he discussed who the Oregon National Guard troops are and what their mission entails.

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“We are actually a cross section of Oregon society,” Gronewold said. “They (troops) come from every community in the state; they’re your friends and neighbors; they’re coaches, nurses and restaurant owners. You name it. We’re a cross section of Oregon.” 

The 200 members were federalized under Title 10, meaning they now answer to the U.S. Northern Command rather than Gov. Tina Kotek. Gronewold confirmed the mobilization followed a memo sent Sept. 28 by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. He said he wasn’t surprised to see it. 

“We had anticipated it a bit,” Gronewold said. “We didn’t know what the number was gonna be, but when we received the memo, we immediately went into action to execute that order from the Secretary of Defense.” 

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According to Gronewold, the federalized units include a military police contingent and an infantry group based in Woodburn, both trained in civil disturbance operations. Their proximity to Portland, he said, made them a “natural fit” for selection.

While the Guard’s traditional chain of command runs through the governor, once troops are federalized under Title 10, they operate under federal authority.

“I don’t have command and control over these soldiers,” Gronewold said. “That’s not the Oregon National Guard’s mission.” 

The troops are now under the control of U.S. Northern Command. 

The deployment has sparked criticism, including from Portland City Councilor and veteran Mitch Green, who argued that the mission violates the Posse Comitatus Act, which bars military involvement in domestic policing.

“There’s no insurrection happening, and you’re not supposed to use military resources to do policing,” Green said. 

Gronewold agreed that the act restricts the Army from participating in law enforcement but said there are exceptions — one being the Insurrection Act.

Trump previously said he’d be open to invoking the Insurrection Act, which could allow military troops to be deployed to U.S. cities. However, he has not done so.

Gronewold said the legality of the deployment will likely make its way to the Supreme Court. 

“What the courts decide will form how our society moves forward,” he said. “This has never really been tried in court before, so this will help develop the law.” 

Asked directly whether Trump is violating the law, Gronewold declined to speculate. 

“I swore an oath to defend the Constitution but also to obey the orders of the president of the United States and the governor of the state of Oregon,” he said. 

Gronewold recently wrote to Guard members, acknowledging public controversy over the deployment:

“I’ll be honest with you — I know this isn’t easy. Some people in Oregon won’t understand or won’t support this mission. Some might even be hostile about it. But we’ve been through tough situations before. We are professionals who do our duties, regardless of how it’s received.”

The impetus behind the letter, he said was to acknowledge and prepare troops for the scrutiny the orders may draw.

“Portland can be kind of a tough crowd when protests get started,” Gronewold said. “We ask them (troops) to be in a difficult position and recognizing that not everyone is going to understand the difference between and ICE agent and an Oregon National Guard service member.”

“Straight Talk” airs Saturday and Sunday at 6:30 p.m., and Monday at 7 p.m. “Straight Talk” is also available as a podcast.