Oregon National Guard Chief Brigadier General Alan R. Gronewold is facing mounting backlash after declaring his troops would be tasked with protecting protesters at federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities, a direct contradiction to the orders of President Donald Trump.
The week-old remarks, made before an Oregon Senate subcommittee, resurfaced on social media this week as a federal appeals court weighs whether Trump can deploy the Guard to Portland to quell ongoing anti-ICE protests.
During an appearance last week before the Oregon Senate’s Veterans and Emergency Preparedness Subcommittee, General Gronewold attempted to reassure state lawmakers about what the National Guard’s role would be if federalized under Title 10 orders.
“I don’t want to speculate on what level of training they will receive or what they will be authorized to perform as far as rules for the use of force. The Title X headquarters will provide that training to them.
It is my understanding, however, that protective crowd control will be one of the things they’re trained on, and I will provide my advice to the Title X commander. The Oregon National Guard men and women serve two purposes: one, to defend America, and two, to protect Oregonians.
So, by serving in this mission, they will be protecting any protesters at the ICE facility. That’s my desire.
Now, to answer your question — “full force” is not a doctrinal term that the Army uses, so I’m not sure exactly what that means, and I don’t want to speculate as to what level of force they will be allowed to use.”
LOYALTY? Brigadier General Gronewold of the Oregon National Guard made it clear he believes he has a DUAL duty to protect America and Oregonians – and he believes that includes the Antifa protesters. If federalized he testified that he would protect the insurgents. pic.twitter.com/VmRjZGGrYJ
— @amuse (@amuse) October 8, 2025
Critics are calling Gronewold’s comments an act of open insubordination and even treasonous defiance of the Commander-in-Chief.
Below are some of the comments:
Court Marshal this treasonous General https://t.co/rXsUYmEzdN
— Roger Stone (@RogerJStoneJr) October 9, 2025
How can he “protect” people from the law? If they break the law, they are supposed to be held accountable. Sounds like sedition to me. https://t.co/m6dT59118A
— Lara Logan (@laralogan) October 9, 2025
His duty is to the Constitution not to insurgents. https://t.co/CYoJiogWWn
— Col. Rob Maness ret. (@RobManess) October 9, 2025
Mealy-mouthed, spineless attempt to straddle the middle.
Please RELIEVE these wimpy generals, @SecWar! https://t.co/9NvSnjYeAI
— Wendy Rogers (@WendyRogersAZ) October 9, 2025
If Federalized, he’s going to be court martial’d and removed from command. https://t.co/jE7QgSNxkx
— awakened (@awakene44042307) October 9, 2025