Federal Judge Permanently Blocks National Guard Deployment to Portland

A federal judge in Oregon has issued a permanent injunction preventing the Trump administration from deploying National Guard troops to Portland in response to immigration protests.

U.S. District Judge Karin J. Immergut, appointed by President Donald Trump, ruled that the administration lacked a lawful basis for federalizing the National Guard. 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."

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek criticized the federalization as "a gross abuse of power" and called for the immediate withdrawal of troops. California Attorney General Rob Bonta, whose state also opposed the deployment, described the decision as "a win for the rule of law, for the constitutional values that govern our democracy, and for the American people."

The White House has not immediately responded to the ruling. The Justice Department had previously appealed a temporary restraining order issued by Judge Immergut, arguing that federal law enforcement required National Guard assistance due to threats to federal personnel and property. However, Oregon officials contended that local and federal law enforcement were sufficient to manage the protests.

This ruling follows a series of legal challenges against the administration's deployment of military forces in U.S. cities. A similar case in Chicago resulted in a temporary restraining order against National Guard deployment, with the appeal process ongoing.

The Justice Department is expected to appeal Judge Immergut's permanent injunction to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.