A US federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deploying National Guard troops from Texas and California to Portland, Oregon.
The decision late on Sunday comes after the same court denied Trump's attempt to deploy Oregon's own National Guard members to Portland.
Portland is the latest Democrat-led city targeted as part of the president's attempt to address what he says is out-of-control crime, amid protests over his administration's immigration enforcement.
Trump has also authorized the deployment of National Guard troops from other states to Chicago, Illinois, to address what he describes as out-of-control crime.
The ruling from US District Judge Karin Immergut came shortly after the Pentagon confirmed that 200 members of the California National Guard had been reassigned to Portland to support US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal personnel performing official duties.
California and Oregon had sought a temporary restraining order against the deployment. Judge Immergut, who was appointed by Trump, stated there was no evidence that recent protests in the city made the presence of federally deployed National Guard troops necessary. During Sunday’s emergency hearing, she pressed federal lawyers on how the deployment was not simply a way to bypass her earlier denial of Oregon's National Guard.
She emphasized that using the military to quell unrest without Oregon's consent risks the sovereignty of that state and others, potentially inflaming tensions in Portland.
This ruling will remain in effect until at least October 19, and the White House has yet to respond.
In previous remarks, the Trump administration stated the president was acting within his lawful authority to protect federal assets and personnel in Portland given violent protests and attacks on law enforcement.
Meanwhile, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker condemned Trump’s orders, labeling them as Trump's invasion and stating there was no justification for sending troops without local officials’ knowledge or consent. Pritzker expressed concerns that such actions would incite further protests and create a warzone.
He called on Texas Governor Greg Abbott to withdraw support for the troop deployment. In response, Abbott expressed his full support for Trump's decision, asserting the need for federal protection.
Portland has been a focal point in recent protests against increased immigration enforcement, indicative of broader national tensions regarding federal interventions in local affairs.
The National Guard typically serves as a reserve component for the Army and Air Force, authorized for various duties, including disaster relief and supporting military operations overseas. History has shown an escalation in the military's role within U.S. cities in response to perceived unrest under this administration, raising significant concerns about the implications for local governance and civil rights.
