Trump’s ‘war-ravaged Portland’ National Guard deployment halted by federal judge over authority concerns

A U.S. District Court on Saturday issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) to halt the Trump administration from deploying 200 National Guardsmen to Portland, Oregon, amid violent anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protests.

The lawsuit, brought by the State of Oregon and City of Portland, argued the deployment was unlawful, exceeding the president’s statutory and constitutional authority.

Judge Karin Immergut, appointed by President Donald Trump in 2019, granted the TRO blocking the federal action.

In addressing irreparable harm, Immergut said the state faced constitutional injury from loss of control over its Guard, operational harm from diversion of troops trained for state emergencies, and public safety risks.

The court held the public interest favored restraint, emphasizing the importance of maintaining civilian control and avoiding military intrusion.

“This country has a longstanding and foundational tradition of resistance to government overreach, especially in the form of military intrusion into civil affairs,” Immergut wrote in her decision. “This historical tradition boils down to a simple proposition: this is a nation of Constitutional law, not martial law.”

In granting the TRO, the court blocked the federalization and deployment of National Guard troops to Portland. 

The order will remain in effect for 14 days, until Oct. 18, unless extended. 

Immergut also denied the government’s request to stay or pause the order.