URGENT UPDATE: A federal judge has just blocked President Donald Trump from deploying National Guard troops from any state to Oregon. The ruling comes amid escalating tensions as the Trump administration attempted to send members of the California and Texas National Guard to Portland in a bid to bypass an earlier court order.
Late on Sunday, U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut issued a temporary restraining order, expanding her previous ruling that halted the deployment of the Oregon National Guard. This critical decision is set to remain in effect until October 19, 2023, with a telephone hearing scheduled for October 17, 2023, to determine whether the order should be extended.
The controversy erupted after the administration sought to deploy 200 California National Guard personnel to Portland, prompting California to join Oregon’s lawsuit against the federal move. The Pentagon also issued a memorandum for the Texas National Guard to be sent to Portland and Chicago, a plan approved by Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
Following the ruling, California Governor Gavin Newsom expressed his relief on social media, stating, “We just won in court — again. A federal judge BLOCKED Donald Trump’s unlawful attempt to DEPLOY 300 OF OUR NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS TO PORTLAND.” Oregon State Attorney General Dan Rayfield echoed this sentiment, asserting, “The president can’t keep playing whack-a-mole with different states’ Guard units to get around court orders & the rule of law.”
The judge questioned the legality of the administration’s actions after it attempted to circumvent her ruling by deploying troops from different states. This latest development underscores the ongoing legal battle over the use of National Guard forces in domestic situations, raising critical questions about federal authority and state rights.
As of now, Trump and senior administration officials have not commented on the ruling. The situation remains fluid, with significant implications for state-federal relations and the ongoing protests in Portland. Citizens and officials alike are closely watching the developments as the court prepares to hear arguments that could further influence the deployment of National Guard troops across the nation.
Stay tuned for updates as this situation evolves.
