Trump administration sends 300 federalized California National Guard personnel to Portland despite judge's restraining order
Despite a U.S. District Court judge, Karin J. Immergut, issuing a temporary restraining order Oct. 5 blocking the Trump administration from federalizing and deploying Oregon National Guard troops to Portland (finding the president lacked a “colorable basis” and with the order set to expire Oct. 18), the administration moved federalized California National Guard personnel into Oregon. California Gov. Gavin Newsom said 300 troops were federalized (with at least 101 reported arriving), the White House defended the deployment as necessary to protect federal assets and signaled an appeal, and Oregon officials including Gov. Tina Kotek and Attorney General Dan Rayfield said they would sue and condemned the action.
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📌 Key Facts
- U.S. District Judge Karin J. Immergut (a Trump appointee) on Oct. 5, 2025, issued a temporary restraining order blocking the administration's plan to federalize and deploy the Oregon National Guard to Portland, finding the president lacked a “colorable basis” under §12406(3), that the protests did not meet the threshold for rebellion or significant violence, and saying the determination was “untethered to the facts” and that “this is a nation of Constitutional law, not martial law.” The TRO is set to expire Oct. 18, 2025.
- The Department of Defense had planned to place about 200 Oregon National Guard members under federal control for 60 days to protect federal property and personnel; the White House filed a notice of appeal to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals the same day the restraining order was issued.
- Despite the court order, federalized California National Guard personnel were sent to Portland: California Gov. Gavin Newsom said 300 troops were federalized and being sent, while at least 101 Guard members were reported to have arrived overnight; Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek said the state received no official notification and characterized the move as an apparent attempt to circumvent the court ruling.
- The White House publicly confirmed the deployment and, through spokesperson Abigail Jackson, defended the president's authority and framed the move as necessary to protect federal assets and personnel; Newsom said he plans to sue the administration over the deployment.
- Reporting and a memo reviewed by NPR indicate the troops' mission criteria focus on protecting federal facilities and employees — including ICE and the Federal Protective Service — and media observed on-the-ground clashes between federal agents and demonstrators as troops arrived.
- Local Portland leaders — including the mayor and the police chief — publicly said they did not want or need National Guard assistance.
- President Trump publicly criticized Judge Immergut for the restraining order, defended the deployments (contrasting the blocked Oregon mobilization with his authorization of 300 Illinois National Guard troops to Chicago), and tied his actions to protecting federal property while blaming Democrats for related political consequences.
📰 Sources (8)
Trump federalizes the National Guard in Chicago, while troops arrive in Oregon
New information:
- NPR notes a federal judge (Karin J. Immergut) temporarily blocked the administration's plan to deploy the Oregon National Guard, ruling protests did not meet the threshold for rebellion.
- Despite the court action, troops arrived in Oregon from California to protect federal facilities, per reporting and images cited in the article.
- The memo NPR reviewed describes Guard deployment criteria and mission (protection of ICE, FPS and other federal employees).
Trump administration sending California National Guard to Portland: Newsom
New information:
- Axios/Newsom: The Trump administration has sent 300 federalized California National Guard personnel to Portland (Newsom statement).
- White House confirmation and quote from spokesperson Abigail Jackson framing the move as protecting federal assets and personnel.
- Newsom said he will sue the administration over the deployment.
- President Trump publicly criticized Judge Karin Immergut, saying 'I appointed the judge, and he goes like that,' a comment reported in the article.
- Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek acknowledged 101 Guard members had arrived Saturday night and said more were on the way, reflecting differing tallies reported by state and federal sources.
Trump administration sending California National Guard troops to Oregon
New information:
- At least 101 federalized California National Guard members arrived in Oregon overnight into Sunday.
- California Gov. Gavin Newsom said California had federalized 300 National Guard troops (reporting they were being sent in response to unrest in Los Angeles).
- Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek said the state received no official notification and characterized the action as an apparent attempt to circumvent the court ruling.
- White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson publicly confirmed the deployment and provided a direct quote defending the president's authority to protect federal assets.
- The article reiterates the existence and expiration date of the temporary restraining order (set to expire Oct. 18) and notes the White House signaled an appeal was likely while Newsom said he plans to sue.
WATCH: Trump criticizes judge who temporarily blocked troop deployment to Portland
New information:
- President Trump publicly criticized the ruling and Judge Karin Immergut, saying she 'ought to be ashamed of herself' and that 'Portland is burning to the ground.'
- The article notes Trump contrasted the blocked 200‑troop Oregon mobilization with his authorization of 300 Illinois National Guard troops to Chicago.
- Trump tied the shutdown layoffs to Democrats in remarks before boarding Marine One, saying 'Anybody laid off that's because of the Democrats.'
Judge temporarily blocks Trump administration from deploying National Guard in Portland
New information:
- U.S. District Judge Karin J. Immergut (Trump appointee) issued a temporary order blocking the administration from deploying the National Guard in Portland on Oct. 5, 2025.
- Judge Immergut's written comments include the quote: 'this is a nation of Constitutional law, not martial law,' and she wrote the President's determination was 'untethered to the facts.'
- The White House filed a notice of appeal to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals the same day.
- Named reactions from Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield and White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson responding to the ruling were included.
Increasing protests in Portland over deportations as National Guard mobilizes
New information:
- Report that National Guardsmen 'could possibly be deployed' to Portland 'as early as this weekend' (a near-term timeframe).
- On-the-ground clashes again between federal agents and demonstrators were observed.
- Portland's mayor and chief of police publicly say they do not want or need National Guard assistance (local officials' stance emphasized).
Oregon judge temporarily blocks deployment of the National Guard to Portland
New information:
- The temporary restraining order is set to expire on Oct. 18, 2025.
- Judge Karin J. Immergut wrote that the president lacked a 'colorable basis' to invoke § 12406(3) because protests were not significantly violent or disruptive.
- Department of Defense had said it would place 200 members of Oregon's National Guard under federal control for 60 days to protect federal property and personnel.
- State officials quoted: Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield and Gov. Tina Kotek publicly opposed the federalization and filed the lawsuit.