PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – After President Donald Trump ordered 200 National Guard troops to Portland, a city councilor is encouraging service members to reject the deployment.

In a September 28 social media post, Portland City Councilor Mitch Green called the deployment an “escalation of authoritarianism,” before telling service members they “can refuse an unlawful order as you may receive it.”

“I’m your city councilor for District 4, but I’m also speaking to you as a former soldier,” Green said in a video accompanying the post. “I’m asking you to remember your oath of service, to engage in that sense of duty cultivated while in service and use your voice to speak out in opposition of the Trump administration and its unlawful design for Portland. Show up in your uniform, protest this administration and talk to your fellow vets, neighbors and families about how deeply wrong all of this is.”

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“For those of you still serving, I want to remind you that your oath of service requires you to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic. That oath does not grant the president a right to your absolute obedience. You have not only the right, but the duty to disobey an unlawful order,” Green said.

“Many of you will face a difficult choice in the coming days: comply with deployment orders to occupy an American city or refuse those orders and face the consequences. But know that if you choose to refuse out of a higher sense of duty to the Constitution, that you won’t be alone, that there’s a group called About Face that offers support for service members who request peer or legal support when you make that choice,” Green continued. “Please know that there is a strong community of service members and veterans here to support you in the fight against fascism and I would encourage you to get in touch with them.”

The president’s plan to bring troops to the city stems from a Saturday Truth Social post, in which Trump said he was ordering the National Guard to Portland to handle “violent protests” threatening the security of immigration detention facilities.

As reported by the Associated Press, protesters at recent demonstrations outside of Portland’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility have included dozens of participants, with some federal agents being injured and several protesters being charged with assault. Additionally, some demonstrators have said they were also injured in protests.

While Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek said she told the president that the deployment was unnecessary, the Department of Defense issued a memorandum on Saturday, notifying the Oregon National Guard that the Department of War received a request from the Department of Homeland Security for immediate assistance protecting “federal personnel, functions and property” in Oregon. 

While Councilor Green is encouraging service members to reject deployment to Portland, Kotek reminded military members of their duty to serve in a press conference held Monday.

“Those who take an oath and those who are committed to the Oregon National Guard will follow the chain of command, because that is what they are required to do — even if I disagree with that chain of command,” Kotek said.

In a statement on Tuesday, a spokesperson for the Oregon Military Department told KOIN 6 News that the president’s order is lawful.

“Oregon National Guard members swear an oath to obey the orders of the President of the United States and to obey the orders of the Governor of the State of Oregon. Under the rule of law this is a lawful order from the President. If found to be unlawful the Guard would stand down,” the Oregon Military Department said. “We are a-political and work under the rule of law and policies enacted by our elected officials and those appointed by them.

“Oregon Guard members volunteered to serve and train to protect Oregonians and defend national interests. This assignment is to protect the security and safety of federal personnel, property, and functions,” OMD added.

KOIN 6 News has reached out to Portland Mayor Keith Wilson’s office. This story will be updated if we receive a response.

Green’s comments come as Oregon filed a lawsuit challenging Trump’s decision to deploy troops — claiming the decision is “unlawful” and poses a “substantial risk” to its residents.

According to the Oregon Military Department, Portland could see troops by Thursday.