‘WHY IS THIS APPROPRIATE?’: A federal judge appointed by President Donald Trump during his first term was aghast when she found out on Sunday that Trump was circumventing her orders not to deploy federalized troops to Portland, a city Trump said is “burning to the ground,” a claim the judge dismissed as “untethered to the facts.”
The Trump administration sought to sidestep the judge’s temporary restraining order against mobilizing the Oregon National Guard against the wishes of the state’s governor by sending in troops already under federal control in California. Both states went back to court and won a second TRO.
“How could bringing in federalized National Guard from California not be in direct contravention to the temporary restraining order I issued yesterday?” U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut said during a hastily called evening telephone hearing last night, as reported by the Associated Press. “Aren’t defendants simply circumventing my order?” she said later. “Why is this appropriate?”
“Small protests have been going on outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility since Trump’s second term began in January. There have been occasional flare-ups, including in June, but for weeks nightly demonstrations attracted only a few dozen people,” the AP reported. “Local officials have pointed out that the protest occupies one city block far from the downtown in a city that covers 145 square miles. They also say many of his claims and social media posts appear to rely on images from 2020, when unrest that grew out of the Black Lives Matter protests roiled the city for several months.”
TRUMP: ‘THAT JUDGE OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED’: Sunday morning, before departing for Norfolk to headline a celebration of the Navy’s 250th birthday, Trump railed against the judge he appointed, blaming the “judge pickers” he relied on for advice during his first term. “I wasn’t served well by the people that picked judges,” Trump told reporters on the White House lawn. “It’s just too bad I appointed the judge and [she] goes like that, so I wasn’t served well, obviously, I don’t know the judge.”
“Portland is burning to the ground. It is insurrectionists all over the place. It’s antifa, and yet the politicians are petrified. Look, the politicians are afraid for their lives. That’s the only reason that they say like this, nothing happening. And you’ve seen it, the place is burning down, and they pretend like there is nothing happening,” Trump said. “All you have to do is look at the television. Turn on your television, read your newspapers. It’s burning to the ground. The governor, the mayor, the politicians are petrified for their lives … that judge ought to be ashamed.”
MEANWHILE, IN CHICAGO: ‘THEY MAKE IT LOOK LIKE IT’S A WAR ZONE’: In Illinois, Gov. J.B. Pritzker is fighting to stop Trump from sending 400 additional National Guard troops from Texas to Illinois, Oregon, and other locations.
“I call on Governor [Greg] Abbott to immediately withdraw any support for this decision and refuse to coordinate. There is no reason a President should send military troops into a sovereign state without their knowledge, consent, or cooperation,” Pritzker posted on X last night. “The brave men and women who serve in our national guards must not be used as political props. This is a moment where every American must speak up and help stop this madness.”
In an appearance on CNN’s Sunday State of the Union program, Pritzker accused the Trump administration of provoking the violence they claim to be quelling. “They want mayhem on the ground. They want to create the war zone, so that they can send in even more troops,” Pritzker said. “He’s saying that Chicago is a war zone. None of that is true. They’re just making this up. And then what do they do? They fire tear gas and smoke grenades, and they make it look like it’s a war zone.”
“I think it was 55 people over a short period of time have been murdered in Chicago, have been shot. Two hundred twenty-two people over a short period have been hit, have been wounded, not died, but 55 people died over a short period of time,” Trump said in justifying the dispatch of federal troops. “There’s no city in the world like that. We’re going to straighten it out, and I think that Pritzker, he’s not a stupid person, I think that Pritzker’s afraid for his life.”
JUDGE BLOCKS TRUMP AGAIN FROM SENDING NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS TO PORTLAND
Good Monday morning and welcome to Jamie McIntyre’s Daily on Defense, written and compiled by Washington Examiner National Security Senior Writer Jamie McIntyre (@jamiejmcintyre) and edited by Christopher Tremoglie. Email here with tips, suggestions, calendar items, and anything else. Sign up or read current and back issues at DailyonDefense.com. If signing up doesn’t work, shoot us an email and we’ll add you to our list. And be sure to follow me on Threads and/or on X @jamiejmcintyre.
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HEGSETH DEFENDS ‘LEGITIMATE CLEAN KILL’ ON ‘NARCO-TERRORISTS’: War Secretary Pete Hegseth is vigorously disputing experts in military law who say President Trump’s shoot-to-kill orders against suspected drug smuggling boats violated both laws and international norms.
Hegseth posted a video Friday showing the latest U.S. missile strike against a small speedboat off the coast of Venezuela, which he said “was transporting substantial amounts of narcotics,” and “headed to America to poison our people.”
“Our intelligence, without a doubt, confirmed that this vessel was trafficking narcotics, the people onboard were narco-terrorists, and they were operating on a known narco-trafficking transit route. These strikes will continue until the attacks on the American people are over!!!!” he posted on X.
“These are designated as foreign terrorist organizations. They’re a threat to the homeland. They’re a threat to the American people,” Hegseth said in an interview on Fox during Saturday’s Navy-Air Force football game. “They’re effectively designated just like al Qaeda, which, if I saw al Qaeda in the conduct of doing something that was going to threaten and kill Americans, I had the right to do that in Iraq and Afghanistan.”
“In each one of these strikes, we know where they’re coming from, we know who they work for, we know where they’re going, we know what they’re carrying, we know how many people are on that boat,” Hegseth told Fox News’ Peter Doocy. “And that’s why these are legitimate clean kills in pursuit of defending the homeland.”
TRUMP LOOKS TO PIVOT TO LAND DRUG TRAFFICKING AFTER DEADLY BOAT STRIKES
IN DEFENSE OF ‘STUPID RULES OF ENGAGEMENT’: In his Sept. 30 speech to generals, admirals, and senior noncommissioned officers, Hegseth railed against what he called “stupid rules of engagement,” that limit the ability of U.S. troops to “intimidate, demoralize, hunt, and kill the enemies of our country.”
On CBS’s Face the Nation, retired Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, former commanding general of the U.S. Army in Europe, took issue with Hegseth’s rejection of “politically correct and overbearing rules of engagement.”
“The rules of engagement are not politically correct. They’re not intended to make it harder for soldiers or units to do their job. They actually are part of the mission,” Hodges said. “I don’t have any experience where killing a lot of innocent people, or violating the Geneva Convention, is going to help accomplish the mission.”
“We have always lived up to international law. And that was where a lot of the respect came from. We do not want to be like the Russian army, and they certainly don’t worry about rules of engagement,” Hodges said, arguing that violating the principles that set the U.S. military apart from armies that routinely commit war crimes not only diminishes U.S. in the eyes of the American public and international allies, but also takes a psychological toll on troops over the long term.”
Hodges noted that the Geneva Conventions were drafted after World War II, when Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower was America’s top military leader. “I don’t think anybody would say that Dwight Eisenhower was woke,” he said. “How you deal with the enemy and how you deal with populations is how you defeat an insurgency. And killing everybody in sight is not how you defeat an insurgency.”
PUTIN BRUSHES OFF TOMAHAWK THREAT: According to Vice President J.D. Vance, President Trump is still weighing whether to provide U.S. long-range Tomahawk Cruise missiles to Ukraine, a weapon that could put the 12-mile-long Kursk bridge that connects Russian-occupied Crimea to the mainland in jeopardy.
In his latest speech, Russian President Vladimir Putin both dismissed the threat and warned that providing the missiles would represent “a totally new stage in this escalation,” in U.S.-Russia relations. “Will this damage our relations, considering we have finally started seeing light at the end of the tunnel? Of course, this would be detrimental to our relations. How can it be otherwise?” Putin said in remarks to the annual meeting of the Valdai International Discussion Club. “You cannot use the Tomahawks without the U.S. military personnel’s direct involvement. This would signal the advent of a totally new stage in this escalation.”
“Regarding the Tomahawks, this is a very powerful weapon, even if, truth be said, it is not exactly up to date, but it is still a formidable weapon that does pose a threat,” Putin said, while insisting the cruise missiles would not change the battlefield dynamic. “They already had the ATACMS systems. What has come out of it? Russia’s air defence systems adapted to these weapons,” Putin said. “Can the Tomahawks do us any harm? They can. We will intercept them and improve our air defenses.”
EUROPEAN LEADERS WARN RUSSIAN DIRECT AND HYBRID WARFARE IS INTENSIFYING
THE RUNDOWN:
Washington Examiner: Judge blocks Trump again from sending National Guard troops to Portland
Washington Examiner: Newsom to sue Trump over California National Guard deployment to Oregon
Washington Examiner: European leaders warn Russian direct and hybrid warfare is intensifying
Washington Examiner: US strikes vessel off Venezuelan coast killing four, Hegseth says
Washington Examiner: Pentagon has ‘tremendous confidence’ in intel leading to drug boat strikes, Rubio says
Washington Examiner: Trump looks to pivot to land drug trafficking after deadly boat strikes
Washington Examiner: Trump sets hard deadline for peace deal before unleashing ‘all HELL’ on Hamas
Washington Examiner: Trump rips Fox News over Mark Kelly interview, tells network ‘get on board’
Washington Examiner: Hassett rebuffs Tapper on legality of Trump commemorative $1 coin: ‘On solid ground’
Washington Examiner: Trump’s absurd Qatar security guarantee: a predictable result of Netanyahu’s folly
Washington Examiner: Zelensky urges ‘unilateral ceasefire in the skies’ after latest Russian attack kills five
Washington Examiner: Trump radios in from USS George HW Bush on Navy’s 250th anniversary
Washington Examiner: Trump promises pay raise for Navy and armed services as shutdown continues
Washington Examiner: Blame game persists among Trump, leadership as shutdown enters fifth day
Washington Examiner: Former congressman does bidding of Chinese military company
Washington Examiner: Opinion: For the US military, the standard is excellence
Washington Examiner: Opinion: Merit-based advancement is key to military excellence
Wall Street Journal: Hegseth Focuses on Fitness, Even as Pentagon Goes High Tech
AP: Trump Says He’ll Send National Guard to Chicago, but Details Remain Unclear
AP: Using helicopters and chemical agents, immigration agents become increasingly aggressive in Chicago
Minnesota Star Tribune: Trump officials discussed sending elite Army division to Portland, text messages show
USA Today: Trump Promises Pay Raises for US Military Members During the Navy’s 250th Celebration
CBS News: AI in the Military: Testing a New Kind of Air Force
Breaking Defense: Photos of China’s Tailless J-50 Aircraft Give Hints About Stealth Profile, Likely Mission: Experts
Aviation Week: US Innovation Hurries New Cruise Missile to Ukraine
Air & Space Forces Magazine: New Radar for F-15EX: More Range Without Demanding More Power
Breaking Defense: How a ‘Priority’ on Next-Gen Tankers Paved the Way for More Boeing KC-46s
Air & Space Forces Magazine: Space Force Awards ULA, SpaceX $1 Billion for Seven Launches
Air & Space Forces Magazine: Vietnam War Ace Seeks Medal of Honor for Comrade Lost in War
Air & Space Forces Magazine: How a 2.0 GPA Saved the Life of This F-16 Pilot—and Future CSAF
THE CALENDAR:
MONDAY | OCTOBER 6
9 a.m — Henry L. Stimson Center virtual discussion: “Between Peace and War: Exploring China Gray Zone Strategy Toward Taiwan,” with Pam Kennedy, deputy director, Stimson Center China Program; James Siebens, fellow, Stimson Center Strategic Foresight Hub; and Kelly Grieco, senior fellow, Stimson Center Reimagining U.S. Grand Strategy Program https://www.stimson.org/event/chinas-gray-zone-strategy-toward-taiwan
9 a.m. 1616 Rhode Island Ave. NW — Center for Strategic and International Studies forum: “Responding to Trump’s New Foreign Policy Paradigm,” with Max Bergmann, director, CSIS Europe, Russia and Eurasia Program and the CSIS Stuart Center in Euro-Atlantic and Northern European Studies; Oga Onubogu, director and senior fellow, CSIS Africa Program; and Mona Yacoubian, senior adviser and director, CSIS Middle East Program; Victor Cha, president, CSIS Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department and CSIS Korea chair; Charles Edel, CSIS senior adviser and Australia Chair; Kristi Govella, senior adviser and CSIS Japan chair; Gregory Poling, senior adviser and director, CSIS Southeast Asia Program and CSIS Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative; Maria Snegovaya, senior fellow, CSIS Europe, Russia and Eurasia Program; and Henrietta Levin, CSIS senior fellow and Freeman chair https://www.csis.org/events/responding-trumps-new-foreign-policy-paradigm
9:30 a.m. — Atlantic Council and the University of Notre Dame School of Global Affairs virtual conference October 6-7: “Navigating China’s Impact: Strategies for Latin America and Africa” https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/event/navigating-chinas-impact
12 p.m. — Public Diplomacy Council of America virtual discussion: “Unprecedented Challenges — Future of State Department and Public Diplomacy” https://www.eventbrite.com/e/unprecedented-challenges
TUESDAY | OCTOBER 7
9 a.m. — Foreign Policy virtual discussion: “How October 7 Changed the World,” with Stephen Walk, Foreign Policy columnist and professor of international affairs at Harvard University; and Ravi Agrawal, Foreign Policy editor in chief https://foreignpolicy.com/live/stephen-walt-october-7-changed-world/
9:30 a.m. — Washington Institute for Near East Policy virtual forum: “October 7, Two Years On: Repercussions for Israel, the Middle East, and U.S. Policy,” with Yossi Klein Halevi, senior fellow, Shalom Hartman Institute; Ali al-Nuaimi, chair, United Arab Emirates Defense Affairs, Interior, and Foreign Relations Committee Federal National Council; Dana Stroul, WINEP senior fellow; and Dennis Ross, WINEP fellow https://washingtoninstitute-org.zoom.us/webinar/register
2 p.m. — Center for Strategic and International Studies virtual book discussion: Great Power Diplomacy: The Skill of Statecraft from Attila the Hun to Kissinger, with author Wess Mitchell, co-founder and principal of the Marathon Initiative https://www.csis.org/events/great-power-diplomacy-conversation-wess-mitchell
4 p.m. — Center for Strategic and International Studies virtual discussion: “Congressional Perspectives on Maritime Security,” with Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA); Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-MT); and Seth Jones, president, CSIS Defense and Security Department https://www.csis.org/events/congressional-perspectives-maritime-security
4:30 p.m. 1400 L St. NW — Atlantic Council discussion: “Pressure for Peace: How to End the Russian War on Ukraine,” with former Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk, founder and chairman of the Kyiv Security Forum; Kimberly Kagan, president and founder, Institute for the Study of War; former U.S. Ambassador to NATO Douglas Lute, board member, Atlantic Council; former Undersecretary of State for Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky, vice chair, Atlantic Council Center for Strategy and Security; and former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine John Herbst, senior director, Atlantic Council Eurasia Center https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/event/pressure-for-peace-how-to-end-the-russian-war
WEDNESDAY | OCTOBER 8
9 a.m. 1400 L St. NW — Atlantic Council Global Energy Center Energy and Defense Program 2025 Energy and Defense Summit,” with Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE); Rep. Earl “Buddy” Carter (R-GA); Rep. Ed Case (D-HI); Rep. Sarah Elfreth (D-MD); and Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN) https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/event/2025-energy-defense-summit/
9 a.m. 1616 Rhode Island Ave. NW — Center for Strategic and International Studies and the West Point Center for the Study of Civil-Military Operations, CSIS-West Point Conference: “The Future of Critical Minerals and National Security, with retired Army Gen. John Abizaid, former commander, U.S. Central Command https://www.csis.org/events/future-critical-minerals
11 a.m. — Center for a New American Security virtual discussion: “Judge Advocates General: On the Frontline of National Security and the Rule of Law,” with retired Adm. John Richardson, former chief of naval operations and member, CNAS board of directors; James Baker, professor and director at the Syracuse University Institute for Security and Law and former chief judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces; retired Rear Adm. James McPherson, former Army undersecretary and former judge advocate general of the Navy; and Carrie Cordero, CNAS senior fellow and general counsel https://www.cnas.org/events/virtual-event-judge-advocates-general
5:30 p.m. 529 14th St. NW — Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft book discussion: The Fort Bragg Cartel: Drug Trafficking and Murder in the Special Forces,” with author Seth Harp https://quincyinst.org/events/the-fort-bragg-cartel-an-in-person-conversation-with-author-seth-harp/
THURSDAY | OCTOBER 9
2 p.m. — Government Executive Media Group virtual discussion: “Smarter Systems, Safer Missions: Enabling AI Through Unified Cybersecurity,” with Macy Dennis, CXO adviser at Netskope https://events.govexec.com/smarter-systems-safer-missions
3:30 p.m. — Foundation for Defense of Democracies Center on Military and Political Power discussion: “Countering the Axis of Aggressors,” with retired Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, former national security adviser; and retired Gen. Laura Richardson, former U.S. southern commander https://www.fdd.org/events/2025/10/09/countering-the-axis-of-aggressors
2:15 p.m. 1000 Massachusetts Ave. NW — Cato Institute forum: “Beyond Brussels: Rethinking the NATO Alliance,” with Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT); and Justin Logan, Cato director of defense and foreign policy studies https://www.cato.org/events/beyond-brussels-rethinking-nato-alliance
3 p.m. 1400 L St. NW — Atlantic Council launch of the final report of the Hypersonic Capabilities Task Force, with Rep. Mark Messmer (R-IN); Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ); former Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James, co-chair, Atlantic Council Hypersonic Capabilities Task Force; former Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy, co-chair, Atlantic Council Hypersonic Capabilities Task Force; former Army Chief of Staff Gen. Jim McConville, member, Atlantic Council Hypersonic Capabilities Task Force; and Michael White, author, Atlantic Council Hypersonic Capabilities Task Force and former principal director of hypersonics at the Defense Department https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/event/the-hypersonic-imperative
