A U.S. 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 authorised the deployment of National Guard troops from other states to Chicago in Illinois, alleging similar crime concerns. The ruling from U.S. 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 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel. California and Oregon had sought a temporary restraining order against this deployment.
Judge Immergut, appointed by Trump, noted there was no evidence that the protests in Portland justified the presence of federalised National Guard troops. During an emergency hearing, she questioned the federal lawyers about whether deploying troops from other states was simply a way to bypass her earlier ruling against the deployment of Oregon's own guards.
In her earlier decision, she stated that military intervention without Oregon's consent could undermine the sovereignty of the state and escalate tensions within Portland. The ruling is effective until at least October 19, with no response yet from the White House.
Previously, the Trump administration claimed it was exercising lawful authority to protect federal assets and personnel amid violent riots and attacks on law enforcement. Meanwhile, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker condemned Trump's order to send troops into various states without local consent as an 'invasion', adding that such actions could incite further protests.
As tensions rise, protests against the Trump administration's immigration policies continue in Portland and other cities, with Trump frequently voicing his disapproval of Portland, linking it with far-left activism.
Trump has also authorised the deployment of National Guard troops from other states to Chicago in Illinois, alleging similar crime concerns. The ruling from U.S. 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 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel. California and Oregon had sought a temporary restraining order against this deployment.
Judge Immergut, appointed by Trump, noted there was no evidence that the protests in Portland justified the presence of federalised National Guard troops. During an emergency hearing, she questioned the federal lawyers about whether deploying troops from other states was simply a way to bypass her earlier ruling against the deployment of Oregon's own guards.
In her earlier decision, she stated that military intervention without Oregon's consent could undermine the sovereignty of the state and escalate tensions within Portland. The ruling is effective until at least October 19, with no response yet from the White House.
Previously, the Trump administration claimed it was exercising lawful authority to protect federal assets and personnel amid violent riots and attacks on law enforcement. Meanwhile, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker condemned Trump's order to send troops into various states without local consent as an 'invasion', adding that such actions could incite further protests.
As tensions rise, protests against the Trump administration's immigration policies continue in Portland and other cities, with Trump frequently voicing his disapproval of Portland, linking it with far-left activism.
