Judge temporarily halts Trump administration from deploying California National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon

Judge temporarily halts Trump administration from deploying California National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon

PORTLAND, Ore. — A federal judge has temporarily halted the Trump administration's plan to deploy 300 California National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon. The decision comes amidst ongoing legal battles between the state and federal governments over the deployment of National Guard troops to the city.

The ruling, issued by U.S. District Court Judge Karin Immergut, stems from a lawsuit filed by Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield to block the federalization of 200 Oregon National Guard troops. The judge concluded that the protests outside the ICE facility in Portland have not been significantly violent, disruptive, or beyond the capacity of local law enforcement to handle. This decision aligns with Oregon's argument that the president exceeded his statutory authority under Title 10 of the U.S. Code, which outlines the conditions under which the president can override a governor and take command of the state's National Guard troops .

The Trump administration immediately appealed the decision, but the temporary restraining order remains in effect. The deployment of California National Guard troops, placed under federal control in June for a deployment to Los Angeles, was challenged by California Governor Gavin Newsom. Newsom criticized the move, stating that it is an "abuse of the law and power" and that the Trump administration is "unapologetically attacking the rule of law itself" .

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, Portland Mayor Keith Wilson, and other local officials have condemned the deployment, arguing that the protests have not caused any disruption that could not be handled by local police. They have also noted that the Trump administration's characterization of Portland as a "violent and destroyed place" is exaggerated .

The legal battle over the deployment of National Guard troops to Portland reflects a broader political and legal struggle between the state and federal governments. As the Trump administration continues to deploy troops to other cities, including Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., the legal challenges and public debates surrounding these deployments are likely to persist.