In a late-night ruling that sent shockwaves through Washington, a federal judge in Oregon temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s plan to deploy National Guard troops to Portland, citing constitutional concerns and a possible violation of federal law.
The decision, issued by U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut, a Trump appointee, represents the latest legal hurdle for the administration’s efforts to expand federal intervention in cities struggling with public unrest. The temporary restraining order halts the use of California National Guard troops in Oregon and prohibits the deployment of units from any other states or from Washington, D.C., pending further judicial review.
Judge Cites Federal Law and the Tenth Amendment
In her opinion, Judge Immergut argued that the administration’s order to send troops to Portland violated 10 U.S.C. §12406, which governs when the National Guard may be federalized, and the Tenth Amendment, which reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states.
“Oregon and the city of Portland are likely to succeed on their claim that the President exceeded his constitutional authority and violated the Tenth Amendment,” Immergut wrote in her 37-page ruling.
The Tenth Amendment, a foundational pillar of American federalism, has been at the center of many modern disputes over the limits of executive power. Immergut concluded that the proposed troop deployment—made without a direct request or consent from Oregon’s governor—amounted to an overreach of federal authority.
“It appears to violate both 10 U.S.C. §12406 and the Tenth Amendment,” she said from the bench, according to multiple courtroom reports.
The ruling came after Oregon’s Attorney General and Portland city officials filed an emergency injunction, arguing that the president’s order infringed on the state’s right to manage its own public safety response.
Administration Argues Need to Protect Federal Property
The Trump administration has defended the planned deployment as a necessary step to protect federal buildings and personnel, following weeks of increasingly violent protests outside the Mark O. Hatfield Federal Courthouse and other government facilities in Portland.
Officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Justice (DOJ) stated that federal property had been damaged, officers assaulted, and law enforcement “outnumbered and under siege.”
A senior White House official, speaking on background, said the decision to involve the National Guard was made after “local law enforcement failed to restore order.”
“The president has a constitutional duty to protect federal property and ensure the enforcement of federal law,” the official said. “When local authorities refuse to act, the federal government must step in.”
However, the judge ruled that such actions must still adhere to established law. She noted that while the Insurrection Act and other statutes grant the president authority to deploy federal forces under certain conditions, those powers are limited and must respect state sovereignty.
Critics Call Ruling Politically Motivated
The ruling immediately drew strong reactions across the political spectrum. Supporters of the president accused the court of placing politics above public safety, while civil liberties advocates praised the decision as a crucial defense of states’ rights.
Several Republican lawmakers criticized Immergut’s order, arguing that the Constitution’s Article II, Section 2 clearly names the president as “Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the militia of the several states, when called into the actual service of the United States.”
Conservative commentator Mark Reynolds described the ruling as “a dangerous precedent that limits the president’s ability to act decisively in times of national unrest.”
“The Constitution is clear about who commands the armed forces,” Reynolds said. “If violent rioters are burning down courthouses, the federal government has not only the right but the obligation to intervene.”
By contrast, legal experts and state officials applauded the ruling as a victory for constitutional balance.
Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, who filed the lawsuit on behalf of the state, said in a statement,
“This order reaffirms that the federal government cannot trample on state sovereignty under the guise of maintaining order. The people of Oregon deserve a government that respects both the rule of law and the rights of its citizens.”
Context: Ongoing Unrest in Portland
Portland has seen persistent demonstrations over policing, inequality, and government accountability since 2020. While most protests have been peaceful, sporadic outbreaks of vandalism and violence have kept tensions high between demonstrators and law enforcement.
Earlier this year, the city’s leadership announced a plan to reduce local police presence around protests, citing concerns over excessive force. That decision drew harsh criticism from federal officials, who claimed it left federal buildings exposed to potential attacks.
The Trump administration’s proposed deployment sought to send around 1,000 National Guard members to Portland to assist with crowd control and protection of federal property. According to internal DHS memos, the mission would have lasted “no longer than necessary to restore security.”
However, local leaders, including Oregon Governor Tina Kotek and Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, strongly opposed the move, arguing that a federal deployment would only inflame tensions.
“The presence of military forces on our streets is not the answer,” Kotek said last week. “Oregon can manage its own affairs without Washington interfering.”
Judge Warns Against “Blurring the Line” Between Civil and Military Power
In her written opinion, Judge Immergut cautioned that the administration’s justification for the deployment risked “blurring the line between civil and military federal power—to the detriment of this nation.”
She acknowledged that recent incidents of violence in Portland were “inexcusable,” but maintained that they did not rise to the level requiring federal military intervention.
“These are matters that can and should be addressed by local and state law enforcement,” she wrote. “The extraordinary remedy of federal military involvement must be reserved for circumstances where civil authorities are truly unable or unwilling to act.”
Her comments echoed similar warnings issued by legal scholars during previous debates over federal intervention in domestic unrest.
Temporary Order in Place for Two Weeks
The restraining order issued by Judge Immergut is temporary, set to expire on October 18, unless extended by the court. The judge indicated that a full hearing will be scheduled to determine whether a preliminary injunction should be granted.
Oregon’s Attorney General said the state intends to seek a longer extension to prevent what it calls an “unlawful military intrusion.”
Meanwhile, the White House is reportedly reviewing its legal options and may appeal the ruling to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
“We are disappointed in the decision and are considering all available avenues,” a senior administration official told reporters Monday morning.
National Implications
The ruling may have far-reaching consequences for future presidents seeking to use federal forces within the United States. Legal analysts say the decision underscores ongoing tension between state sovereignty and executive authority — a tension that has surfaced repeatedly throughout U.S. history, from the Civil War to modern crises.
Constitutional scholar Dr. Rebecca Stiles noted that the case could become “a defining moment in the modern interpretation of the Tenth Amendment.”
“It’s not just about Portland,” Stiles said. “It’s about who holds the ultimate power to deploy force inside U.S. borders — the states or the federal government. The courts are now being asked to draw that line.”
As protests continue in Oregon and political debates intensify in Washington, one thing remains clear: the confrontation between federal authority and state rights is far from over.
For now, the National Guard will remain grounded, and the city of Portland will have to manage its own unrest — under the watchful eye of both the nation and the courts.