A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order Saturday, halting President Trump’s plan to deploy 200 Oregon National Guard troops to Portland amid anti-ICE protests. The judge ruled that the administration’s decision likely exceeded presidential authority under federal law and the Constitution.
The lawsuit, filed by the state of Oregon and the City of Portland, challenged the deployment as a violation of state sovereignty and federal law, asserting there was no present crisis warranting military intervention. In her ruling, Judge Karin Immergut — a Trump appointee — noted that local authorities had recorded protests as mostly peaceful, with minimal arrests.
Trump had labeled Portland “war-ravaged” and instructed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to federalize and deploy the Guard to protect federal facilities “if necessary.” Governor Tina Kotek and Oregon officials strongly opposed the move, stating the deployment mischaracterized the situation and infringed on constitutional limits.
The restraining order is set to last until October 18 while the court considers whether to extend it. The administration has already signaled its intent to appeal and continue deployment planning should the ruling be overturned.