A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order against President Donald Trump’s efforts to federalize and deploy the Oregon National Guard to Portland. U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut announced the decision late Saturday, prohibiting the deployment of troops for a minimum of 14 days. The judge determined that the justification provided by Trump for federalizing the Guard did not meet the high standards required to override the authority of the state’s governor.
In her ruling, Judge Immergut acknowledged the ongoing protests in Portland but stated that they have not escalated to a level of violence or disruption that would warrant federal intervention. She noted, “These incidents are inexcusable, but they are nowhere near the type that cannot be managed by regular law enforcement.” This ruling specifically impacts 200 soldiers who have been training on the Oregon coast, reinforcing the importance of state authority in managing local unrest.
The Trump administration is expected to appeal this decision to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. This court previously overturned a similar ruling aimed at blocking Trump’s deployment of troops in Los Angeles during the summer. The legal battle continues as the administration seeks to assert its authority in situations involving civil unrest.
Last month, Trump took to social media to announce his intention to send National Guard troops to Portland, citing a need to protect immigration facilities amid what he described as rampant chaos. However, Judge Immergut strongly refuted these claims, describing them as “untethered to the facts.” She asserted that Trump likely exceeded his constitutional authority, emphasizing the risk of blurring the line between civil and military governance.
Judge Immergut articulated the foundational principle of the United States, stating, “This is a nation of Constitutional law, not martial law.” She highlighted the critical nature of the case, which delves into the essential relationships between the federal government and the states, the armed forces and domestic law enforcement, and the judiciary’s role in these dynamics. “The consequences of this Court’s decision are far-reaching,” she noted, warning that deploying the National Guard would infringe on Oregon's sovereignty.
Oregon officials expressed their approval of the judge's ruling. Governor Tina Kotek remarked that "justice has been served," emphasizing the importance of truth in governance. Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield, whose office contested the deployment, described the ruling as a necessary check on presidential power: “No president is allowed to make up facts when deploying the military in our cities,” he stated. “It’s an incredibly dangerous precedent to set in America.”
Portland Mayor Keith Wilson echoed these sentiments, declaring that the ruling demonstrated federal overreach. “The number of federal troops that are needed or wanted is zero,” he stated, calling for protesters to de-escalate their actions and disengage from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility. In his view, “Today was a good day. Peace wins today... Facts matter. That's what we need to focus on.”
This ongoing legal and political battle underscores the complex interplay between federal authority and state sovereignty, a fundamental aspect of the U.S. constitutional framework. As the situation unfolds, the implications of this ruling could set significant precedents for future interactions between state and federal powers.
