Judge blocks Trump from deploying troops — for now

US District Judge Karin Immergut issued a preliminary injunction last night preventing the Trump administration from deploying the Oregon National Guard, California National Guard, or any other National Guard units in Portland until Nov. 7 to give her time to issue a final opinion on the case.

The order was issued after a three-day trial last week which featured extensive testimony and more than 750 exhibits. "The interest of justice requires that this Court complete a thorough review of the exhibits and trial transcripts before issuing a final decision on the merits," Immergut wrote.

City Attorney Robert Taylor praised the order. "The City of Portland is grateful for the Court's preliminary injunction pausing deployment of National Guard units to Portland while the court reviews the case," Taylor said. "The preliminary injunction ensures that no federalized troops can be deployed while the case is under review."

"We thank all Portlanders who have peacefully exercised their First Amendment rights, and we thank everyone who has helped stand up for our community," Taylor said. "We want to thank the Oregon Department of Justice for their partnership with the City Attorney's Office throughout this case, and we want to thank the Portland Police Bureau for providing thoughtful testimony about the facts on the ground in Portland. Together, their help has made a difference for our city."

"In Portland, we still believe that facts matter. We will continue defending our community in court, and we appreciate everyone who has helped make a difference for our city," Taylor said.

Judge Immergut's ruling is the latest development in a long and complex legal drama, and it is almost certainly not the last one.

The federal government may appeal the decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Earlier this month, a three-judge panel from that court struck down an earlier ruling by Judge Immergut, but later the full appeals court vacated that decision and agreed to hear the case again before a bigger panel.

The State of Oregon and the City of Portland filed the lawsuit in response to President Donald Trump's Sept. 27 order to send "all necessary troops" to Portland, putting 200 members of the Oregon National Guard under the command of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. Trump said the troops were needed to quell protests at the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in South Waterfront.

Trump's order was issued over the objection of Mayor Keith Wilson, Portland city councilors, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, Attorney General Dan Rayfield, U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, and other local leaders who denounced the federal deployment and urged Portlanders to act in peace.

Oregon and Portland argued that the order did not meet the extraordinary legal requirements necessary to activate the National Guard.

The City of Portland is committed to resisting federal overreach through lawsuits when federal leaders overstep their authority under the U.S. Constitution or federal law with policies that clash with our values. Learn more at https://www.portland.gov/federal/legal-action.