A federal judge has once again halted President Donald Trump’s attempt to deploy national guard troops to Portland, Oregon, issuing a temporary restraining order to prevent the movement of personnel from California or any other state. U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut ruled that the deployment violated federal law and the Constitution, citing conflicts with 10 U.S.C. §12406 and the Tenth Amendment.
The dispute began when Trump sought to send Oregon National Guard members to Portland but was initially blocked by Immergut. The administration then shifted tactics, attempting to deploy California National Guard troops instead. Oregon Governor Gavin Newsom immediately challenged the move in court, arguing it exceeded executive authority. Immergut’s latest ruling halted all such efforts, explicitly prohibiting federalization, relocation, or deployment of guard members to Oregon from any jurisdiction.
The judge criticized the Trump administration for disregarding her prior order, calling the actions “a direct contravention” of legal safeguards. She questioned why Justice Department attorneys continued pursuing troop movements despite her emergency ruling. The case centers on tensions over federal authority in Portland, where local leaders have resisted what they describe as unwarranted intervention.
Immergut scheduled a follow-up hearing for October 29 but emphasized the urgency of maintaining constitutional boundaries. The decision underscores ongoing legal battles between state officials and the federal government over control of national guard forces.
