Federal Judge Blocks Trump National Guard Deployment to Portland, Oregon, California, Texas Citing Legal Violations

A federal judge appointed by President Donald Trump has issued a ruling blocking the Trump administration's attempt to deploy National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon, citing a lack of lawful basis for the deployment. Judge Karin Immergut found that the president's assessment of the threat level posed by protests near the Portland ICE facility did not align with the situation on the ground, which was largely peaceful after June 2025, and that there was no credible evidence of significant damage or inability of ICE to perform its duties. The ruling highlights concerns about the balance of state and federal power, particularly the president's authority over the National Guard versus state objections. The decision temporarily prevents the deployment of about 400 federalized Oregon and California Guard troops to Portland, pending a final judgment expected soon. Oregon officials and the state's attorney general praised the ruling as upholding democracy and the right to self-governance, while the federal government has indicated plans to appeal the decision. This legal battle is part of a broader controversy over President Trump's efforts to send troops to various cities, with courts scrutinizing the justification and legality of such federal actions.