Federal Judge Halts Trump’s National Guard Deployment to Oregon/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A federal judge has temporarily blocked President Trump from deploying National Guard troops to Oregon after his administration attempted to sidestep an earlier ruling. The move comes amid growing protests in Portland and increased military presence authorized by Trump. Legal challenges from Oregon and California argue the president exceeded his authority.
Trump Guard Deployment Quick Looks
- Judge Karin Immergut issued a 14-day temporary restraining order halting troop deployments.
- Trump attempted to send National Guard troops from California and Texas after Oregon’s Guard was blocked.
- Oregon and California argued the president was violating judicial orders and overstepping authority.
- Protests in Portland over immigration enforcement have grown, with federal agents using tear gas.
- Trump labeled Portland a “war zone,” though local leaders dispute the severity of unrest.
- Illinois also pushed back against Trump’s troop deployments to Chicago.
- A Pentagon memo revealed 400 Texas troops were prepared for federal deployment.
- A follow-up hearing is scheduled for Oct. 17, with a preliminary injunction hearing on Oct. 29.
- Oregon Governor Tina Kotek vowed continued legal resistance against Trump’s actions.
- California AG Rob Bonta criticized Trump’s use of federalized state troops as unprecedented.
Deep Look
Judge Blocks Trump’s Attempt to Deploy National Guard to Oregon Amid Rising Tensions
WASHINGTON — A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deploying National Guard troops to Oregon, escalating an already fraught legal and political conflict over the president’s use of military force in Democratic-led states.
Late Sunday night, U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut, appointed by President Donald Trump during his first term, issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) preventing the deployment of any National Guard units—federalized or otherwise—into Oregon. The ruling followed an emergency telephone hearing sparked by the administration’s sudden move to reroute troops from California and Texas after a previous order had already prohibited using Oregon’s own National Guard.
“How could bringing in federalized National Guard from California not be in direct contravention to the temporary restraining order I issued yesterday?” Judge Immergut asked during the hearing, sharply rebuking the federal government’s legal team. She further accused the administration of trying to “circumvent” her ruling, expressing disbelief at the rapid troop deployment just hours after her initial order.
The White House did not immediately respond to the court’s decision.
Trump’s Focus on Portland Unrest
The conflict centers around ongoing protests at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Portland, Oregon. While the demonstrations have been relatively small—usually limited to a single city block—they have drawn outsized attention from Trump, who has described the city as “war ravaged” and “burning down,” despite data and images showing a recovering downtown and decreased crime.
Under a new mayor and police chief, Portland has seen a decline in homelessness, reduced violence, and the reemergence of business activity. Nonetheless, Trump’s rhetoric has echoed back to his first term, when federal agents were deployed to the city in response to protests during the George Floyd era.
On September 28, tensions reignited when the administration attempted to activate the Oregon National Guard without Governor Tina Kotek’s approval. That mobilization sparked a larger protest turnout—about 400 people—culminating in federal agents launching tear gas into the crowd.
Simultaneously, Trump approved the deployment of 300 Illinois National Guard troops to Chicago, despite Governor JB Pritzker’s firm opposition. His office stated the situation “does not require the use of the military,” rejecting any federal involvement.
Troops Rerouted from California and Texas
When Oregon’s Guard was blocked by the courts, the administration pivoted. By Sunday, around 200 California National Guard members originally stationed in Los Angeles were rerouted to Portland. About 100 had landed by midnight, and another 100 arrived later that evening, according to Oregon National Guard Commander Alan Gronewold.
The legal filings also revealed that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth authorized the mobilization of up to 400 Texas National Guard troops for potential deployment not only to Oregon but also to Illinois and other unspecified locations.
The late-night legal maneuvering caught many off guard. Oregon’s attorney, Scott Kennedy, told the court he received notice of the Texas mobilization just 24 minutes before the emergency hearing.
“It feels a little bit like we’re playing a game of rhetorical whack-a-mole here,” Kennedy said, criticizing the administration for trying to outpace judicial oversight.
Federal attorneys argued that neither Oregon nor California had legal standing to stop the troop movements and downplayed California’s harm from deploying its troops out of state. The judge disagreed, enforcing the 14-day TRO and scheduling the next hearing for October 17, with a potential preliminary injunction hearing on October 29.
State Leaders Push Back
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek celebrated the ruling, declaring that her state will continue to resist what she described as political occupation.
“President Trump’s actions are an effort to occupy and incite cities and states that don’t share his politics,” she said in a statement. “Oregon will stand up to him at every turn.”
California Attorney General Rob Bonta also condemned the president’s actions, calling them outside the scope of executive power.
“This President is determined to take as much power as the courts will give him,” Bonta said. “This fight isn’t over, but today’s rebuke of the President’s illegal actions is a step in the right direction.”
Portland Mayor Keith Wilson joined the criticism, accusing federal agents of using unnecessary force and “inflaming” what he said had been peaceful protests. He reported that agents had indiscriminately deployed pepper spray and impact munitions on demonstrators outside the ICE facility.
“I have alerted the civil rights division of the Department of Justice,” Wilson stated, noting that the federal response appeared designed to provoke unrest rather than protect peace.
What Comes Next?
The temporary restraining order expires in two weeks unless extended. The October hearings could result in a longer-term legal block against further deployments unless the court sides with the administration.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration appears determined to use the National Guard as a tool to enforce federal authority in cities and states where it claims local leadership is failing. This federal-versus-local dynamic continues to be a major theme of Trump’s second term and is likely to fuel broader legal and constitutional challenges.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.