**Donald Trump Fires Back at Oregon Governor Tina Kotek Over National Guard Deployment**
*Published Oct. 1, 2025, 1:20 p.m. ET*
Former President Donald Trump engaged in a heated text message exchange with Oregon Governor Tina Kotek regarding his decision to deploy National Guard troops to Portland, the state’s largest city. RadarOnline.com has obtained messages revealing Trump’s sharp criticism and Kotek’s firm response.
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### What Did Trump Say?
In messages obtained by KATU, Trump expressed his outrage over attacks on federal buildings and an ICE facility in Portland.
“Governor: The ICE Facility in Portland was attacked again last night,” Trump wrote. “In fact, it, and other Federal Buildings, are being attacked on a nightly basis. We can’t have this.”
He concluded the message sent on Sunday, September 28, with:
“Thank you for your attention to this matter! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP.”
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### Governor Kotek Responds
Governor Kotek did not back down. She responded sharply, highlighting that Trump had broken an earlier promise to consult with her before deploying troops.
“… I believe this is unlawful and unwarranted. You broke your promise to speak with me before taking further action against Portland. I will be in touch later,” she said.
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### Trump’s Retaliation and Defense of ICE
Trump pushed back, claiming that he had given Kotek ample warning to “get things in order” and insisted that if the state managed the situation, federal troops would not be necessary.
“I notified you to get things in order, and you didn’t. They attacked our ICE Patriots last night, and at other times. If you get your State in order, we don’t come in, but everyone knows that Portland has been an unmitigated disaster for years,” Trump stated.
“I won’t let that happen in America! President DJT.”
Reports suggest that these responses were drafted by Natalie Harp, a White House aide and former One America News Network anchor who joined Trump’s team in 2022.
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### Ongoing Tensions in Portland
Trump has repeatedly criticized Portland, labeling the city as a hotbed for “domestic terrorists.” Citing protests staged nightly outside ICE facilities since June, he sent 200 National Guard troops to protect these sites, warning he would use “Full Force, if necessary,” specifically targeting groups like ANTIFA.
Despite Trump’s claims, police report that the protests have typically involved fewer than thirty participants at any given time.
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### Broader National Guard Deployments and Other States’ Reactions
Trump has continued to bolster National Guard presence in other cities, including Los Angeles and Chicago. While many cities have pushed back against these deployments, the Republican governor of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, recently requested assistance from Trump.
In a letter sent to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Landry pleaded for the deployment of 1,000 troops to help combat rising crime in his state. Hegseth has been noted for his controversial behavior within the administration.
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### Trump’s Address to Military Leaders
On Tuesday, September 30, Trump addressed top military generals, framing the situation in the U.S. as a “war from within” and declaring an “invasion from within.” He criticized Democratic-run cities, saying they were in “bad shape.”
Trump went further, stating:
“I told Pete [Hegseth] we should use some of these dangerous cities as training grounds for our military National Guard.”
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As tensions between federal and state authorities continue, the debate over the use of National Guard troops in America’s cities remains highly contentious. Governor Kotek and other leaders stand firm against what they say is an overreach, while Trump pushes to depict the situation as urgent and deteriorating.
https://radaronline.com/p/trump-oregon-governor-leaked-texts-national-guard-disaster/