A US federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deploying National Guard troops from California and Texas to Portland, Oregon. The decision follows an earlier ruling preventing the deployment of Oregon’s own National Guard members to the city.

Background of the Deployment

President Trump has sought to deploy National Guard troops to cities such as Portland and Chicago, citing concerns over what he describes as “out-of-control crime” and ongoing protests related to increased immigration enforcement. On Saturday, the Pentagon confirmed that 200 California National Guard members had been reassigned to Portland to support US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal personnel.

Court Ruling and Legal Arguments

US District Judge Karin Immergut, a Trump appointee, issued the temporary restraining order after California and Oregon sought to prevent the out-of-state deployment. Judge Immergut noted there was no evidence that recent protests justified the presence of federalized troops. She also questioned how bringing in troops from other states was not an attempt to bypass her previous ruling denying the use of Oregon’s National Guard.

The ruling will remain in effect at least until October 19. The White House has not issued a formal response.

State Leaders Respond

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker criticized the planned deployment of 400 Texas National Guard members to Illinois, Oregon, and other locations, calling it “Trump’s invasion.” Pritzker urged Texas Governor Greg Abbott to withdraw support. Abbott, however, affirmed he “fully authorized” Trump’s decision to ensure the safety of federal personnel.

Ongoing Protests and Controversy

Portland has experienced sustained protests, particularly targeting what Trump describes as Antifa, a loosely organized far-left movement. Similarly, Chicago has seen violent demonstrations related to immigration enforcement, including a recent incident where an armed woman allegedly rammed law enforcement vehicles.

National Guard Context

The National Guard serves as the primary combat reserve for the Army and Air Force and is typically under state governor control. It can be federalized by the US president for domestic or overseas operations, often during emergencies such as natural disasters. Over the summer, Trump deployed the National Guard to cities including Washington, DC, and Los Angeles, citing crime and protest-related concerns.

Last month, a federal judge in California ruled that Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles violated federal law limiting military use for domestic purposes.