Trump Blocked From Deploying Troops
A federal judge has once again blocked President Donald Trump from deploying the National Guard to Portland, Oregon — even as violence, vandalism, and anti-police protests continue to threaten federal officers and property.
U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut, a Trump appointee, issued the order Sunday, saying she needs more time before issuing a final ruling later this week. The judge held a full trial last week to determine whether the deployment — ordered to protect Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents — was legal under federal law.
“The interests of justice require this Court to complete a thorough review,” Immergut wrote, delaying the decision until Friday.
Trump’s Push to Restore Law and Order
President Trump authorized the deployment of hundreds of Oregon National Guard troops in September after months of left-wing unrest outside an ICE facility. Federal officers were threatened, doxxed, and even trapped in their vehicles while local authorities reportedly stood down.
The president cited his constitutional authority to federalize the Guard in times of rebellion or when local governments fail to enforce the law. “This isn’t about politics,” Trump said earlier this year. “It’s about protecting Americans, enforcing immigration laws, and keeping our cities safe.”
Judge Downplays Chaos Despite Widespread Reports
Despite video evidence and countless eyewitness accounts of rioters attacking officers and defacing property, Judge Immergut described the Portland protests as “generally uneventful” with only “occasional” interference.
Critics say that assessment is detached from reality — and that it sends a dangerous message to lawbreakers who view leniency as permission. Conservative legal experts argue the ruling reflects a growing problem of judicial overreach that ties the hands of law enforcement while emboldening anarchists.
A Clash Over Presidential Authority
The Trump administration maintains that the president has full authority to decide when federal intervention is necessary to restore order. His legal team insists that judges have no constitutional right to second-guess a Commander-in-Chief’s national security decisions.
Similar lawsuits have been filed in other Democrat-run cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., where federal deployments have faced coordinated resistance from progressive leaders. The Supreme Court is expected to weigh in on the broader issue of presidential authority later this month.
Trump Remains in Command — for Now
Although the judge blocked the troops from being deployed on Portland’s streets, she allowed Trump to keep the Guard federalized — meaning he remains their commander-in-chief. For now, however, they must remain on standby until the final ruling is issued.
This isn’t the first time Judge Immergut has intervened. She previously halted Trump’s deployment last month, though that ruling was quickly overturned by an appeals court. Many expect a similar outcome this time, as the president’s legal authority under federal law remains strong.
The Bottom Line
President Trump continues to stand firmly for law and order while activist judges and local politicians put ideology above safety. With Portland still reeling from chaos and weak local leadership, this legal showdown could set a precedent for how far Washington can go to protect American cities when local officials refuse to act.
