Judge Blocks Trump’s Plan to Deploy Oregon National Guard to Portland Amid Legal Showdown
A federal judge in Oregon has temporarily blocked former President Donald Trump’s plan to deploy the Oregon National Guard to Portland, halting the move amid a heated standoff between the White House and state officials.
The decision came after the Trump administration announced plans to federalize 200 members of the Oregon National Guard to “restore order” in Portland, citing what it described as escalating unrest near a federal immigration facility. However, local officials, including Governor Tina Kotek and Portland’s mayor, argued that the protests in recent weeks had been largely peaceful and that federal involvement would only inflame tensions.
In her ruling, U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut issued a temporary restraining order, saying the administration failed to show credible evidence that Portland was facing an insurrection or rebellion that would justify the deployment under federal law. She emphasized that using the National Guard in this context could blur the constitutional line between military and civilian authority, warning that such a move risked eroding state sovereignty.
The restraining order will remain in effect until October 18, pending a full hearing on whether to issue a longer-term injunction. Immergut’s ruling also extended to prevent the administration from sending National Guard troops from other states to Oregon, after reports suggested the White House was considering bringing in units from California and Texas to bypass the court order.
Governor Kotek welcomed the ruling, calling it “a victory for state rights and the rule of law.” Portland city leaders echoed that sentiment, arguing that the deployment was politically motivated and unnecessary. The Trump administration, meanwhile, has vowed to appeal the decision, maintaining that it has the authority to protect federal property when local law enforcement is unable or unwilling to do so.
Legal analysts say the case could set a significant precedent on the limits of presidential power over domestic military deployment. The court’s language underscored the importance of maintaining checks and balances, particularly when the federal government seeks to intervene in state matters.
The Justice Department is expected to present new arguments in the coming weeks as the court considers whether to make the injunction permanent. For now, Oregon’s National Guard will remain under state control, while the broader legal and political battle over the scope of presidential authority continues to unfold.