Trump orders California Guard to Oregon; Newsom vows court fight after troops arrive
U.S. District Judge Karin J. Immergut temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s plan to federalize Oregon’s National Guard, finding protests did not meet the legal threshold and issuing a restraining order in place through Oct. 18 while the White House filed an appeal. Despite the ruling, federalized California National Guard troops — variously reported as 101, 200 or 300 — arrived in Oregon to protect federal facilities; California Gov. Gavin Newsom vowed to sue, Oregon officials said they received no formal notice, and President Trump publicly criticized the judge.
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📌 Key Facts
- On Oct. 5, 2025, U.S. District Judge Karin J. Immergut issued a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration from deploying Oregon’s National Guard to Portland, saying the president lacked a “colorable basis” under §12406(3), that protests were not sufficiently violent or disruptive, and writing “this is a nation of Constitutional law, not martial law”; the order is set to expire Oct. 18, 2025.
- The White House filed a notice of appeal to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals the same day.
- Despite the court order, federalized California National Guard troops were moved into Oregon overnight to protect federal facilities and personnel (including ICE and FPS employees); official tallies differed — Gov. Gavin Newsom said 101 arrived Saturday night and that 300 had been federalized, the Pentagon said 200 were sent, and other reports referenced 300 — producing conflicting counts.
- 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, and White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson defended the administration’s authority to protect federal assets.
- Oregon officials — Gov. Tina Kotek and Attorney General Dan Rayfield — and Portland leaders publicly opposed the federalization, said they received no formal notification, characterized the California deployment as an apparent attempt to circumvent the court ruling, and signaled they would pursue legal action; Gov. Newsom also said he plans to sue the administration.
- Reporters and images documented on-the-ground clashes between federal agents and demonstrators in Portland; Judge Immergut concluded the protests did not meet the statutory threshold for rebellion required to federalize the Guard.
- President Trump publicly criticized Judge Karin Immergut and defended his broader use of the National Guard, contrasting the blocked Oregon mobilization with his authorization of 300 Illinois National Guard troops to Chicago.
📰 Sources (9)
Another court fight brews as Trump sends California National Guard troops to Oregon
New information:
- California Gov. Gavin Newsom said 101 California National Guard members arrived in Oregon Saturday night.
- Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek said there was 'no formal communication' from the federal government regarding the deployment.
- Pentagon confirmed Guard movement, saying 200 Guard members were sent from California to Oregon (article cites Pentagon statement).
- President Trump publicly criticized U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut in a quoted remark and authorized deployment of 300 Illinois National Guard troops to Chicago, showing parallel federal actions.
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.