A federal judge in Oregon has temporarily halted the Trump administration’s initiative to send hundreds of National Guard troops to Portland—this occurred on the same day federal agents deployed tear gas and pepper spray against anti-ICE protesters after a prolonged period of unrest exceeding 100 days.
US District Judge Karin Immergut, nominated by Trump, issued a ruling on Saturday stating that the deployment of active-duty troops to secure the “conflict-ridden” city of Oregon would breach the US Constitution and various federal laws prohibiting military involvement in domestic law enforcement.
“The dynamics between the federal government and state authorities, the military versus domestic law enforcement, and the balance of powers across the executive, legislative, and judicial branches,” she remarked in her decision.
“Adherence to constitutional mandates concerning these relationships is central to what it means to live under the rule of law in the United States.”
In her ruling, Immergut emphasized that many protests occurring outside a south Portland immigration facility had not been particularly violent or disruptive in the preceding days and weeks before Trump’s directive.
“Overall, the protests were small and uneventful,” she noted.
“The President’s decision lacked a foundation in the factual circumstances.”
The temporary restraining order blocking Trump’s plan is set to lapse in 14 days.
The White House contested the ruling, asserting that the president would ultimately be “vindicated” by a higher court.
“President Trump acted within his lawful authority to safeguard federal properties and personnel in Portland following violent riots and assaults on law enforcement—we anticipate being affirmed by a higher court,” White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson stated to The Post.
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Last week, the president revealed intentions to deploy 200 National Guard troops to Portland to aid immigration officials and counter perceived “domestic terrorists” employing “full force, if needed.”
He subsequently ordered Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to mobilize “all necessary troops.”
State officials promptly filed a lawsuit aimed at preventing the president from directing troop deployments—an action he has previously taken in Democratic-controlled cities experiencing protests, including Los Angeles, Washington, DC, Chicago, and Memphis.
Since June, intense protests have engulfed Portland, where Antifa activists—some in bizarre costumes—have descended on an ICE detention center, vandalizing the site as violent confrontations with federal agents escalate.
Federal immigration authorities have claimed the facility has endured assaults for more than 100 consecutive nights—with minimal support from local police, reportedly instructed to refrain from intervention by city officials.
Before Immergut’s ruling on Saturday, demonstrations saw hundreds of protesters march to the immigration facility on South Macadam Avenue, clashing with federal agents who retaliated with tear gas, mace, and pepper spray, resulting in chaos as the crowd dispersed, according to local reports.
In a move to penalize local authorities for the ongoing unrest, Trump on Friday ordered his administration to identify federal funds that could be cut in Portland.
“I just spoke with the president, and he directed his team at the White House to start assessing aid that may be reduced in Portland,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced at a rare briefing on Friday.
“We will not support states that allow chaos to unfold. Additionally, an immediate surge of federal resources will be dispatched to Portland. Law and order will prevail, and President Trump will ensure it.”
US Attorney General Pam Bondi also initiated an investigation into the Portland Police Bureau following the arrest of conservative reporter Nick Sortor while he was covering the unrest on Thursday.
With Post wires.
