Federal Judge Permanently Blocks National Guard Deployment to Portland

A federal judge has permanently barred the Trump administration from deploying National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon, ruling the action exceeded presidential authority.

In September, President Donald Trump announced plans to deploy federal troops to Portland in response to protests near a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility. The administration placed 200 Oregon National Guard troops under federal control and sought to deploy an additional 200 federalized California National Guard troops to the city.

U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut determined that the administration did not meet the legal requirements for such a deployment. She stated, "this Court arrives at the necessary conclusion that there was neither 'a rebellion or danger of a rebellion' nor was the President 'unable with the regular forces to execute the laws of the United States' in Oregon when he ordered the federalization and deployment of the National Guard."

The ruling allows the National Guard troops to remain under federal control for at least 14 days. Assistant Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin defended the administration's actions, stating, "President Trump is using his lawful authority to direct the National Guard to protect federal assets and personnel in Portland following months of violent riots where officers have been assaulted and doxxed by left-wing rioters."

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek welcomed the decision, noting, "This ruling, now the fourth of its kind, validates the facts on the ground. Oregon does not want or need military intervention, and President Trump's attempts to federalize the guard is a gross abuse of power."

The Trump administration has appealed the ruling to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Judge Immergut had previously issued temporary orders blocking the deployment, finding that the administration's characterization of Portland as "war-ravaged" was "simply untethered to the facts."