Federal judge recuses from Oregon Guard deployment case
U.S. District Judge Michael H. Simon — an Obama nominee who is married to Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D‑Ore.) — has recused himself from a lawsuit by the state of Oregon and the city of Portland challenging the Trump administration’s move to place about 200 Oregon National Guard members into federal service. Defendants had flagged the judge’s marital tie and his wife’s public opposition to the deployment (including a Sept. 27 social‑media post and a joint congressional letter), and a Sept. 28 memo signed by 'Secretary of War' Pete Hegseth ordered the 60‑day federal call‑up effective immediately.
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🔍 Key Facts
- Judge Michael H. Simon recused from the case after a defendants' filing raised impartiality concerns tied to his marriage to Rep. Suzanne Bonamici.
- A Sept. 28 memo (signed by Pete Hegseth) ordered roughly 200 Oregon National Guard members into federal service for 60 days, effective immediately.
- Rep. Suzanne Bonamici publicly opposed the deployment (Sept. 27 Bluesky post and co‑signed letter urging withdrawal), which defendants cited in urging recusal.