Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s National Guard Deployment Amid Portland Protests

Mon Nov 03 2025 14:36:35 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A federal judge in Oregon ruled against the Trump administration's deployment of National Guard troops to quell protests in Portland, citing a lack of credible evidence of escalating violence.

A U.S. District Court judge has temporarily prohibited the deployment of National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon, following a trial that examined the claims regarding the severity of protests. Judge Karin Immergut found no substantial evidence that the protests had escalated into threats requiring military intervention, contradicting assertions made by the Trump administration. The case reflects ongoing legal battles between federal authorities and local governments over the militarization of law enforcement in response to civil unrest.

PORTLAND, Ore. — A federal judge in Oregon has temporarily barred the deployment of National Guard troops by the Trump administration to Portland, declaring there was no credible evidence that protests had spiraled out of control.

Judge Karin Immergut stated in her ruling that the chaos purported by the administration was exaggerated, noting that most violence stemmed from confrontations between protesters and counter-protesters, with minimal impact on federal property. The city and state had previously filed a lawsuit seeking to halt the deployment, arguing that the administration had overstepped legal boundaries.

During a three-day trial, both sides presented extensive evidence, with Immergut noting that material included over 750 exhibits. The court found no significant damage to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility central to the protests, and Immergut asserted there was no proof to substantiate claims of a rebellion.

The Trump administration's justification for the National Guard's presence was to protect federal assets and personnel against what they labeled as a 'danger of rebellion.' However, the court found this assertion unsupported.

This ruling is part of a broader legal dispute concerning the administration's militarized response to protests in cities like Chicago and Portland, where Democrats have raised concerns about the overreach of federal authority. Previous orders from Immergut temporarily prevented the mobilization of guard troops, describing Trump's portrayal of the Portland protests as disconnected from reality.

Witness testimony during the trial revealed federal officials were taken aback by the troop deployment, contradicting the narrative of a dire situation requiring military support. Local police had managed protest responses on their own, with crowd sizes decreasing after a riot declaration in June, demonstrating a functioning local response to civil disorder.

The legal challenges surrounding this issue highlight the tension between federal measures and local governance, particularly in politically charged environments amidst ongoing social movements.