A federal judge has once again halted President Donald Trump’s efforts to deploy National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon, in a ruling that underscores ongoing legal tensions between state leaders and the administration.
U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut issued a temporary restraining order on Sunday night, preventing the deployment of California National Guard personnel to Portland and extending the ban to troops from any state or Washington, D.C. The decision comes after Trump initially attempted to send Oregon National Guard members to the city but circumvented an earlier court ruling by redirecting California’s forces.
Governor Gavin Newsom had filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over the deployment, with Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield joining the legal challenge. The case centers on federal authority to mobilize state militias, with Immergut citing violations of 10 U.S.C. §12406 and the Tenth Amendment.
The judge criticized the Trump administration for disregarding her previous order, stating she was “troubled by the direct contravention” of her earlier ruling. She questioned Justice Department attorneys about their continued efforts to move troops, emphasizing that federalization of National Guard units without congressional approval is unlawful.
Immergut has scheduled a hearing for October 29 but left open the possibility of further action against groups operating in Portland. The latest ruling ensures no state or federal forces can be deployed to Oregon without judicial oversight.