In a significant legal setback for the White House, a federal judge on Monday barred President Donald Trump from deploying California National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon, amid ongoing protests and mounting legal challenges.
The ruling came after urgent petitions were filed challenging Trump’s decision to activate National Guard units under federal authority. Critics argued that the move was unconstitutional and risked escalating tensions in Portland, where demonstrations have been frequent.
The court order prevents around 200 federally activated troops from being dispatched to Oregon. The judge noted that the administration had not sufficiently justified the need for such a deployment and stressed that domestic military involvement in civilian protests must meet strict legal standards.
The ruling followed days of heated exchanges between Trump and Democratic leaders in the West Coast states. California Governor Gavin Newsom had earlier announced that his state would file a lawsuit if the Guard was sent outside California without his consent, calling it a violation of state sovereignty.
Trump, however, defended the plan, claiming that Portland authorities had failed to maintain law and order. He argued that federal intervention was necessary to “restore peace” and accused local leaders of being soft on protest groups.
The judge’s decision temporarily halts these plans, leaving federal officials scrambling to decide whether to appeal. Legal analysts said the ruling reinforces long-standing restrictions on the use of military forces in civilian law enforcement, echoing the spirit of the Posse Comitatus Act, which limits federal military engagement in domestic affairs.
The protests in Portland have often focused on police accountability and civil rights, drawing large crowds over the past year. The deployment of federal agents during Trump’s earlier term had sparked criticism, with many accusing the administration of heavy-handed tactics.
Civil liberties groups hailed Monday’s ruling as a victory. They argued that bringing in National Guard troops without state approval would set a dangerous precedent, undermining local authority and further inflaming tensions on the streets.
Meanwhile, Trump’s allies expressed disappointment, insisting that federal intervention was justified in light of repeated disruptions in Portland. Some Republican lawmakers accused the courts of obstructing efforts to maintain public safety.
The decision is likely to intensify the ongoing debate over the role of federal power in managing local unrest. The legal challenge may head to higher courts if the administration chooses to pursue an appeal.
For now, the court’s order ensures that National Guard troops will remain in their home bases, while Portland authorities continue to manage the situation with local police forces. The episode marks another flashpoint in the ongoing clash between Trump’s federal approach and states’ insistence on maintaining control over their own security measures.
