Judge stops Trump’s Guard move

Portland, Oregon For the second time in two days, a federal judge in Oregon has blocked former President Donald Trump’s plan to deploy National Guard troops to Portland, dealing him another legal blow in his ongoing attempt to use military forces in U.S. cities.

Late Sunday, U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut, appointed by Trump, expanded her previous order that stopped the administration from sending the Oregon National Guard to Portland. The new ruling goes further, barring the deployment of any federalized National Guard troops from other states to the city. The temporary injunction will remain in place until October 19, with a review hearing set for October 17.

The urgent hearing was requested after Oregon and California officials accused the Trump administration of trying to get around the earlier decision by redirecting federalized Guard troops from Los Angeles to Portland. Both states argued that the move was unjustified, saying, “There is no rebellion in Portland, and federal laws can be enforced without extraordinary measures.”

During the brief 30-minute session, Judge Immergut pressed Deputy Assistant Attorney General Eric Hamilton, expressing irritation at what she saw as an effort to ignore her ruling. “Mr. Hamilton, aren’t the defendants simply trying to sidestep my decision?” she asked sharply.

Reiterating her earlier position, Immergut ruled that Trump appeared to have exceeded his constitutional authority by federalizing Oregon’s National Guard. She noted that demonstrations near Portland’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility did not rise to the level of a rebellion, and that the situation on the ground had not changed since her initial order. Despite that, the administration continued pushing to bring in troops from California and Texas.

Lawyers for the plaintiffs introduced a Defense Department memo showing plans to activate up to 400 Texas National Guard soldiers for assignments in Oregon, Illinois, and other states. They argued the court needed to extend the order nationwide to prevent similar attempts to bypass the ruling, a request the judge granted.

Immergut also refused the Justice Department’s request to delay her decision. Reports indicated that around 100 California Guard troops had already arrived in Oregon before the ruling stopped the operation, and more were expected before it was halted.

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek blasted Trump’s move, accusing him of trying to “occupy and provoke” states that oppose him politically. Attorney General Dan Rayfield praised the court’s decision, saying Trump “can’t manipulate National Guard units to evade the law.” California Governor Gavin Newsom also welcomed the ruling, calling it “a victory against abuse of power.”

In contrast, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller criticized the decision, calling it “an outrageous violation of constitutional order” and insisting there was no legal difference between using Guard troops at the border or to protect federal facilities.

Similar tensions unfolded in Chicago, where Trump authorized 300 Illinois National Guard members to protect federal property amid ongoing protests. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker accused the former president of creating “chaos for political theater,” calling the deployment “Trump’s invasion.”

The confrontations in Portland and Chicago highlight the intensifying conflict between Trump and Democratic-led states over the use of military force in domestic affairs, a clash that continues to test the limits of presidential authority.