In a surprising turn of events, a Trump-nominated federal judge has halted the deployment of 200 National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon, which President Donald Trump had ordered in response to ongoing protests. This decision comes after right-wing media outlets, including Fox News, portrayed the city as being under siege by Antifa and in need of federal intervention.
On September 27, Trump directed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to send National Guard troops to Portland, claiming the city had been “under siege” for months. Fox News host Jesse Watters echoed this sentiment, labeling Portland as a city engulfed in chaos and civil insurrection. However, the reality on the ground was much different, as protests had reportedly become “small and uneventful” in recent months, according to Judge Karin Immergut.
After the National Guard was dispatched, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek opposed the federal move, leading the state and city of Portland to file a lawsuit against Trump. They argued that the president overstepped his legal and constitutional authority, prompting Immergut, a well-respected figure within the GOP legal community, to step in.
On October 4, Judge Immergut issued a temporary restraining order that blocked the deployment of the National Guard. In her ruling, she emphasized that Trump had not met the necessary criteria under the statutory authority he invoked, which is limited to instances of invasion or rebellion. Immergut stated, “As of September 27, 2025, it had been months since there was any sustained level of violent or disruptive protest activity in Portland.”
She further critiqued the federal government’s portrayal of the situation, noting that there were only four incidents of clashes between protesters and federal officers in the month preceding Trump's order. Immergut pointed out that these incidents were manageable by local law enforcement and did not warrant federal military intervention.
Despite the factual findings, Fox News continued to present a narrative that painted Portland as a violent hotspot requiring immediate federal action. Hosts like Watters and Laura Ingraham claimed that the city was experiencing record levels of left-wing terror and violence. Watters insisted that “Antifa has been on the warpath,” while Ingraham argued that federal facilities in Portland were under constant siege, thus justifying the National Guard's presence.
These exaggerated claims starkly contrast with the reality of the protests in Portland, which have been reported as largely peaceful in recent months. The rhetoric from Fox News hosts seemed to aim at reinforcing a narrative of chaos, possibly to align with Trump's agenda of portraying cities governed by Democrats as unsafe.
Judge Immergut's ruling carries significant implications for the balance of power between federal and state authorities. She highlighted a historical tradition of resistance to governmental overreach, particularly when it comes to military intervention in civil matters. Immergut wrote, “This country has a longstanding and foundational tradition of resistance to government overreach, especially in the form of military intrusion into civil affairs.”
As the ongoing political drama unfolds, it raises critical questions about the limits of presidential authority and the role of the military in domestic affairs. While Fox News continues to support Trump's narrative, the courts have reaffirmed the importance of adhering to constitutional law over martial law.
