National Guard Deployment & Legal Challenges - The Pentagon has ordered the training of over 23,000 National Guard troops for civil unrest missions nationwide [1] - National Guard deployments have occurred in five US cities, sparking legal challenges from Democratic governors [3] - A federal judge is set to rule on the constitutionality of troop deployment in Portland, Oregon, with a likely appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals [4] - The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals is reconsidering the deployment of the National Guard to Oregon [11] Insurrection Act & Presidential Authority - The president is signaling a potential workaround by invoking the Insurrection Act [4] - The president's insistence on normalizing the use of the US military on American streets is viewed as unusual and potentially unconstitutional [7][8] - Democratic attorneys general are prepared to challenge any presidential workaround in court to uphold American values [9] - Concerns exist that the president may invoke the Insurrection Act if legal challenges to troop deployments fail [18][19] Food Emergency & SNAP Benefits - Oregon's governor declared a food emergency, directing $5 million to food banks due to federal shutdown cuts to SNAP benefits [23] - 177% of Oregon's population relies on SNAP benefits, according to USDA numbers from 2024 [23] - Concerns are raised that the president may use the food emergency to disproportionately harm Democrats [24]