PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A federal trial over whether President Donald Trump can deploy the National Guard to Portland, Oregon, is set to begin Wednesday, with local police officials expected to testify against federal agents accused of exacerbating protests through excessive force.
U.S. District Court Judge Karin Immergut, appointed by Trump, will oversee the proceedings. This case arose from a lawsuit from the city and state aimed at blocking the National Guard deployment. Judge Immergut had already issued temporary restraining orders blocking the deployment, based on findings that Trump had not shown he met the necessary legal conditions for domestic military action.
One of these restraining orders was paused last week by a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Court of Appeals, but was vacated on Tuesday, calling for a re-evaluation by an 11-judge panel.
Democratic-led cities, including Chicago, are also endeavoring to challenge Trump's military maneuvers, arguing that his actions violate legal stipulations and states' rights. The Trump administration contends that the protests have obstructed law enforcement operations.
Local officials have indicated that the ICE building in Portland, the site of significant protests, has been subject to aggressive measures from federal agents, causing increased tensions. Demonstrators have expressed concern over excessive use of force by federal agents, describing actions as “needless and arbitrary.”
As the trial unfolds, both sides are expected to provide witness testimonies, aimed at establishing the justifications or consequences of federal actions during protests that have frequently turned confrontational.
The proceedings are expected to last three days, shedding light on critical issues relating to civil rights, federal authority, and local governance amidst ongoing civil unrest.
