Federal judge temporarily blocks Trump administration from federalizing Oregon National Guard for Portland deployment
On Oct. 5, 2025 U.S. District Judge Karin J. Immergut issued a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration from federalizing about 200 members of the Oregon National Guard for a planned 60‑day deployment to Portland, saying the president lacked a "colorable basis" and that his determination was "untethered to the facts"; the order is set to expire Oct. 18, 2025. The White House appealed to the 9th Circuit and President Trump sharply criticized the ruling, while Oregon officials including Attorney General Dan Rayfield and Gov. Tina Kotek — and Portland’s mayor and police chief — had opposed the federalization amid ongoing protests and clashes.
Legal
Military
Politics
Public Safety
📌 Key Facts
- On Oct. 5, 2025, U.S. District Judge Karin J. Immergut (a Trump appointee) issued a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration from federalizing and deploying 200 members of the Oregon National Guard to Portland; the order is set to expire Oct. 18, 2025.
- The 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 in Portland.
- Judge Immergut wrote the president lacked a "colorable basis" to invoke § 12406(3) because protests were not significantly violent or disruptive, calling the President's determination "untethered to the facts" and saying "this is a nation of Constitutional law, not martial law."
- Oregon state officials — including Attorney General Dan Rayfield and Governor Tina Kotek — publicly opposed the federalization and filed the lawsuit; the ruling elicited named responses from Rayfield and White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson.
- Portland's mayor and police chief said they did not want or need National Guard assistance, even as on-the-ground clashes between federal agents and demonstrators were reported.
- The White House filed a notice of appeal to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals the same day the temporary order was issued.
- President Trump publicly criticized the ruling and Judge Immergut, saying she "ought to be ashamed of herself" and that "Portland is burning to the ground," contrasted the blocked 200‑troop Oregon mobilization with his authorization of 300 Illinois National Guard troops to Chicago, and in separate remarks blamed Democrats for shutdown-related layoffs.
📰 Sources (5)
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.