Judge Plans Weekend Ruling on Federal National Guard Deployment in Oregon, California

U.S. District Court Judge Karin Immergut, appointed by President Donald Trump, is set to rule by Sunday on a lawsuit filed by Oregon, California, and the city of Portland challenging the federal government's deployment of National Guard troops to Portland. The case centers on whether the federalization of Oregon and California Guard troops over the objections of the states' governors violates federal law and the Constitution, particularly regarding the balance of state and federal power and presidential authority over the military. The lawsuit arose after President Trump announced plans to deploy troops to Portland amid protests near an ICE facility, which the plaintiffs argue represents a significant infringement on state sovereignty. Federal lawyers argue that the president has discretion to protect federal property, citing threats and violence at the ICE building. Judge Immergut has overseen an expedited trial with extensive evidence and testimony, acknowledging the unprecedented speed and volume of the case. Her ruling will determine if the roughly 400 federalized troops can be deployed or must be sent home, with any decision likely to be appealed immediately to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.