This article is part of the Clarion’s Week in Review series, covering current events that shape the conversations on our campus.
This past week saw major stories unfolding in the U.S. and internationally, with President Trump’s administration facing challenges from both state and foreign leaders, NATO forces on high alert as the Russian onslaught in Ukraine intensifies and Italian and Spanish navies committing to escort activists attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Oregon sues to block Trump administration’s National Guard deployment to Portland
Oregon is suing the federal government following an announcement by President Trump on Sept. 27 that troops would be deployed to Portland with authorization to use “Full Force” to protect ICE detention facilities from “domestic terrorists.”
Oregon leaders initially were not provided with any information about the mission, but a memo sent to Gov. Tina Kotek from the Department of Defense on Sept. 28 reported that the Trump administration called 200 members of the state’s National Guard into federal service for a 60-day deployment.
Though the President described the city as “War ravaged” in a social media post, demonstrations against the expanded immigration enforcement operations have been largely peaceful, and both Portland’s mayor and Oregon’s governor have emphasized the city’s stability.
“There is no national security threat in Portland. Our communities are safe and calm,” Gov. Kotek said in a statement.
The lawsuit, filed by the Oregon Attorney General on Sept. 28, argues that the federal government is overstepping by taking away state control of Oregon’s National Guard for domestic operations. Top officials in the state are expected to seek a temporary restraining order this week to block the deployment.
U.S. revokes Colombian President’s visa
The U.S. State Department announced on Sept. 27 that it has revoked Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s visa following statements he made at the U.N. General Assembly on Sept. 25, where he called on American soldiers to “not to point their guns at people. Disobey the orders of Trump. Obey the orders of humanity.”
The comments were made during a nearby pro-Palestine protest, days after a speech President Petro made earlier in the week calling for a criminal investigation of Trump administration officials involved in drone strikes against alleged Venezuelan drug trafficking vessels earlier this month.
The State Department called President Petro’s actions “reckless and incendiary,” while Colombia’s foreign affairs ministry criticized the use of visa revocation as a diplomatic weapon. The U.N. protects the independence of member states at its events, including their rights to freedom of expression.
President Petro, who returned to Colombia on Sept. 28, dismissed the announcement in a social media post, noting that as a European citizen, he does not need a visa to travel to the U.S. because he qualifies for the Visa Waiver Program.
“Revoking it for denouncing genocide shows the U.S. no longer respects international law,” Petro said.
NATO jets scrambled in Poland as Russia launches deadly attack on Ukraine
NATO fighter jets were scrambled and air defense systems put on alert as Poland temporarily closed its airspace in response to a Russian attack on Ukraine that lasted for more than 12 hours into the early morning on Sept. 28. Polish Operational Command confirmed that there were no airspace violations.
Russia launched nearly 600 drones and 48 missiles of various types in one of the worst bombardments of Kyiv since President Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. The regions Zaporizhzhia, Khmelnytskyi, Sumy, Mykolaiv, Chernihiv and Odesa were also targeted.
Ukraine’s air force said that it had downed or suppressed 569 drones and 45 missiles. Five missiles and 31 drones impacted across 16 locations, killing at least four in the nation’s capital, including a 12-year-old girl.
Italy and Spain deploy navy ships to protect Gaza aid flotilla after drone strikes
Independent Italian unions called for a 24-hour nationwide strike on Sept. 22 as thousands marched in pro-Palestinian protests around the country. On Sept. 26, both Italy and Spain said they were sending navy ships to escort the Global Sumud Flotilla after activists reported being attacked with drone strikes.
The Global Sumud Flotilla, a congregation of 52 mostly small vessels carrying activists from around the world, is carrying humanitarian aid in what they say is the largest attempt to break Israel’s 18-year maritime blockade of Gaza.
Among the activists from 46 countries, including Sweden’s Greta Thunberg and the former Barcelona Mayor, Ada Colau, are around 50 Italian citizens. The Italian government repeatedly requested that the flotilla send the aid through humanitarian channels in Cyprus instead, but organizers refused.
The Italian spokesperson for the flotilla, Maria Elena Delia, responded to her president’s remarks and stressed the symbolic necessity of going to Gaza.
“We are very willing to find a humanitarian corridor, which we would like to be permanent, but this cannot be an alternative to being able to freely navigate international waters. We are trying to highlight an anomaly,” Delia said.
