Judge Blocks Federalized Guard Deployment to Portland

U.S. District Judge Karin J. Immergut on Sunday issued a preliminary injunction blocking the Trump administration from federalizing and deploying National Guard troops to Portland until at least Friday, Nov. 7, and paused memoranda authorizing Guard deployments from Oregon, Texas and California. In a 16‑page opinion after a three‑day bench trial, Immergut said Oregon and Portland are likely to prevail, finding no credible evidence that protests outside the ICE facility rose to the level of a “rebellion,” caused significant damage, or so impeded enforcement that Title 10, §12406 or the Tenth Amendment would permit federalization. Trial testimony, including from Portland Police command staff, described largely sporadic clashes between protesters and counter‑protesters rather than organized armed hostilities, undermining the administration’s stated need to protect federal personnel. She said she will issue a final ruling by Friday after reviewing voluminous evidence; the decision adds to parallel legal battles in other cities and leaves higher‑court appeals and related injunctions unresolved.