Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek says the looming federal troop deployment in Portland could cost as much as $10 million in taxpayer dollars.
In a Wednesday news release, the governor said that costs included salaries for 200 soldiers, as well as food, lodging, equipment and other sundries during the 60-day deployment.
That’s a significant increase over the $3.8-million estimate made by an Oregon Military Department director to state lawmakers during a hearing Tuesday. That initial figure was based on an estimate for salaries only.
Kotek and Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield filed a lawsuit Monday asking a judge to declare the troop deployment illegal and issue an emergency restraining order blocking it.
A hearing for the case is set for Friday, and it’s not clear if the mobilization will have put boots on the ground by then. Without citing evidence, Trump said Wednesday that the guard members were “in place,” though there was no visible military presence on site.
Kotek said in a statement that the millions could be better spent elsewhere.
“Wasting an estimated $10 million dollars on made up problems is an insult to Americans who are struggling with the cost of living, access to affordable health care, safety in their neighborhoods, and more,” Kotek said. “Not only is this an abuse of power, it is a dereliction of the president’s duty to solve real problems.”
Kotek’s office didn’t immediately respond to questions about the guard’s mobilization.
While local police officials believe the guard will be largely restricted to “site security,” the governor noted that U.S. Department of Defense officials haven’t confirmed the scope of their plans.