U.S. Presidency's "War from Within"

Trump Provokes Military Confrontations as Danger of Open Civil War Intensifies

– Kathleen Chandler –

Protests in Portland, OR, October 2025

The U.S. Presidency's attempt to control the factions competing for power within the United States gives rise to extreme violence against the people, as can be seen in the vicious attacks against the working class and people and society itself currently taking place. The people are fighting back with courage, determination, organization and the cause of justice on their side.

The office of the presidency, with all its policing agencies and military, is again provoking conflicts with the states, in the name of what Trump has called the "war from within." He called for National Guard in Oregon to be mobilized to Portland, against the demands of the Governor and Mayor that no troops be sent. When a judge ruled that Trump could not use Oregon National Guard, he tried to send them from California, a slap at California Governor Newsom. The court ruled no National Guard from any state could be sent to Oregon. California joined Oregon in their lawsuit.

On October 15, the judge extended the restraining order blocking use of any National Guard troops for two more weeks. The government has appealed the ruling. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the first lower court ruling, but the second against any Guard deployment is still in place so troops cannot yet be deployed. Two hundred Oregon National Guard remain on standby near Portland. Trump could defy the court order, as he has done with other rulings in the past.

Using self-reliance and united actions, Portland organizes against troops and ICE

Trump has also sent Texas National Guard to Chicago, with about 400 troops arriving October 6. United mass actions took place on short notice October 8, and another larger demonstration took place on October 10, demanding ICE and Troops Out! An even larger protest of more than 275,000 took place October 18, as Chicagoans joined No King's Day!

Responding to a lawsuit brought by Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, a federal judge ruled that no National Guard troops could be deployed in Chicago or anywhere in Illinois and issued a temporary restraining order. The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously upheld the ruling October 16, saying "political opposition is not rebellion," the main argument being used by Trump, including also calling protests an "insurrection." However, the rulings do not require the hundreds of Texas National Guard stationed near Chicago to return home.

On October 17, Trump called on the Supreme Court to intervene to allow troop deployment in Chicago, hoping that will also open the door to deployment elsewhere. Solicitor General D. John Sauer filed an emergency appeal. On October 19, on Fox News, Trump again threatened, “Don’t forget I can use the Insurrection Act,” adding "that’s unquestioned power." On October 20 the Supreme Court heard arguments from Illinois and Chicago calling to uphold the ruling against deployment, but has not yet ruled.

As an indication of the level of impunity and brutality currently used against protesters and immigrant workers by ICE and other federal agents, the judge ruling on Chicago, ordered that federal agents must wear identification and that tear gas and other "riot control weapons" could not be used without giving two warnings to protesters. When the order was not followed, she ordered agents to wear body cameras. She also ruled that federal agents could not require journalists to leave public spaces or use tear gas and similar weapons on the press or clergy.

Demonstrators are not relying on the courts to defend them but instead continue to organize based on self-reliance, including more rapid response teams and community and Facebook networks.

Trump is provoking these confrontations against the states. This is indicative of trying to use the federal government to maintain the unity of the country and the military when conditions are intensifying for open violent civil war.

Stephen Miller, Trump's deputy chief of staff, said on X, "The deployment of troops is an absolute necessity to defend our personnel, our laws, our government, public order and the Republic itself." Indicating that Trump may defy the judge's order for Oregon he said, "The President is the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, not an Oregon judge."

While the Governors of California, Illinois, and Oregon are relying solely on the courts, the Mayor of Chicago, Brandon Johnson, has responded to Trump's challenge, reflecting the increasing contention among different local, state, and federal authorities. He issued an executive order forbidding ICE and other federal agencies from conducting raids on city property, which they have been doing. This includes city parking lots, libraries, schools, and parks. He also created signs for any businesses, nonprofits, and faith-based institutions to declare their grounds off limits for "civil immigration enforcement." This is part of defending Chicago's sanctuary city status, which means local police cannot aid ICE and other federal agencies.

Mayor Johnson said, for any acting against the order, "It's a crime. Here's the thing, anyone who commits a crime should be charged." However, countering the mayor and consistent with local police aiding ICE across the country, including suppressing protest, Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said, "We do not interfere with the duties and responsibilities of federal agents," and none would be arrested.

Legally, Trump cannot federalize National Guard forces, which are state based, without the governor's consent. But in these cases, the governors are choosing not to take command of their National Guard to order them to stand down, as they are legally and militarily able to do. Trump is testing them for just such a challenge, and to see if the military officers heading the state National Guard will submit to his orders when they are contrary to the governor. So far, the commanding officers have done so, the governors have submitted and are instead relying on the courts and local police are aiding the federal forces.

What is clear to all those standing up and speaking in their own name, demanding Troops and ICE Out of Our Cities! is that the constitution, the courts, federal, state and local governments, being a citizen, or having documentation provide no protection. The people everywhere are proclaiming, We the People Protect Ourselves!

Demonstration by veterans in Portland, OR, October 6, 2025

No Kings Day
October 18, 2025: Millions Stand Up to Express Demand for a
Country Which Upholds the Rights of All

Washington, DC

In every U.S. state and Washington, DC, in 2,600 cities and towns large and small, on October 18, many millions of people took their stand for rights -- the rights of immigrants, federal workers, women, youth and students and all those currently subject to state attacks. They gave expression to the demand of people everywhere for a new direction for the country. The massive size, estimated at 5-7 million, with people from all walks of life, is an indication of the level of anger with the dysfunction of government, Congress, and the presidency. The brutality of troops and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the streets and the government shutdown were among the targets. This was expressed in many ways, including calls to Abolish ICE! No Troops in Our Streets! Unite, Fight for Workers' Rights! If You're Not Anti-Fascist, What Are You? Signs were against war, for protection of the environment and many more. People also wore inflatable frog and similar costumes to mock the government claim that those demonstrating were "terrorists."

Speakers represented all shades of opinion, including the promotion of reliance on elections to bring about change despite the dysfunction of the electoral system. But the protestors spoke in their own name, reflected in the many hand-made signs, underscoring that the current resistance to the state-organized attacks is based on self-reliance and demands for a country and government that uphold the rights of all at home and abroad and protect Mother Earth. It is for a country where a new direction means empowerment of the people themselves to govern and decide, fully aware that they can do a much better job of governance. As one sign representing the broad sentiment made clear: Not from the Left, Not from the Right! We Are Coming from the Bottom for Those on the Top! It is clear that in the U.S., the battle is on.