Federal Judge Blocks Trump Administration’s National Guard Deployments to Portland, Chicago
A US federal judge today temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deploying National Guard troops from Texas and California to Portland, Oregon, and from proceeding with a similar deployment to Chicago, Illinois.
The ruling, issued by US District Judge Karin Immergut late yesterday, follows the court’s earlier denial of a request to deploy Oregon’s own National Guard to Portland. Judge Immergut, appointed by President Trump, stated there was no evidence demonstrating the necessity of federalized National Guard troops given the current protest situation. During a hearing, she questioned the government’s lawyers about whether the out-of-state deployments were an attempt to circumvent her previous decision. “The use of the military to quell unrest without Oregon’s consent risked the sovereignty of that state and others, and inflamed tensions in the city of Portland,” she stated in her earlier ruling. This legal battle highlights the ongoing tension between federal authority and states’ rights regarding domestic law enforcement.
Stephen Miller, Trump’s deputy chief of staff, called the ruling “one of the most egregious and thunderous violations of constitutional order we have ever seen,” and indicated the administration is considering invoking the Insurrection Act. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt asserted the president is legally within his rights to deploy the National Guard, stating, “We’re very confident in the president’s legal authority to do this, and we’re very confident we will win on the merits of the law.” Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul filed a lawsuit yesterday to block the Chicago deployment, arguing that “The American people…should not live under the threat of occupation by the United States military.” You can find more information about the National Guard’s role and responsibilities at the National Guard website.
The temporary restraining order remains in effect until at least October 19th, and the Trump administration is expected to appeal. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has fully authorized the deployment of Texas National Guard troops, stating, “You can either fully enforce protection for federal employees or get out of the way and let Texas Guard do it.”
