A federal judge in Oregon has issued a temporary ruling preventing Donald Trump from deploying approximately 200 federalized California National Guard troops to Portland. This decision represents a significant setback for the President, who aims to send military forces to various cities despite opposition from Democratic leaders.
The ruling by US District Judge Karin Immergut follows a joint lawsuit filed by the states of California and Oregon, which sought to block the deployment. Both states’ governors have voiced strong criticism of the decision, asserting that it undermines state sovereignty and the rule of law.
Judge Immergut’s decision came just a day after she temporarily halted the deployment of 200 Oregon National Guard troops to Portland, citing insufficient evidence that recent protests warranted such action. During a hearing on Sunday night, she questioned the Trump administration’s rationale, asking, “How could bringing in federalized National Guard from California not be in direct contravention of the (decision) I issued yesterday?”
The ruling means that the Trump administration cannot send California troops to Portland while the lawsuit progresses. As of now, there has been no official response from the White House or the Pentagon regarding the judge’s order.
California Governor Gavin Newsom expressed his concerns prior to the ruling, stating that the troops were already en route to Portland. He condemned the administration’s actions as “a breathtaking abuse of the law and power,” asserting that it constitutes an attack on the rule of law itself.
On September 2, another federal judge blocked the Trump administration from using US troops in California to combat crime. However, that ruling is currently on hold pending an appeal. Consequently, the National Guard troops heading to Oregon remain federalized and under Trump’s command.
In a related development, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker announced that Trump had ordered 400 members of the Texas National Guard to Illinois, Oregon, and other cities. Pritzker urged Texas Governor Greg Abbott to “immediately withdraw any support for this decision and refuse to coordinate.”
Oregon and Portland have challenged Trump’s efforts to federalize the National Guard, alleging that the President is exaggerating threats posed by protests against his immigration policies to justify seizing control of state units. They contend that Trump’s deployment violates several federal laws and infringes upon the state’s right to govern its own citizens.
In response to the ongoing protests, Trump characterized Portland as a city plagued by lawlessness, stating, “You have agitators, insurrectionists.” The Trump administration has since appealed Judge Immergut’s decision regarding the Oregon troops, arguing that a Supreme Court ruling from two centuries ago grants the President authority over the call-up of National Guard forces.
As the legal battle unfolds, the implications of this ruling may extend beyond Oregon, highlighting the ongoing tensions between federal and state authorities regarding the deployment of military forces in civilian contexts.
