US judge says Trump cannot deploy National Guard to Portland

November 8, 2025

A federal judge has issued a permanent order blocking President Trump from deploying National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon, marking the first time his administration has been permanently barred from sending military forces to an American city. The judge determined that Trump lacked legal justification for federalizing the Guard and violated the Tenth Amendment by overriding state authority, concluding there was no rebellion warranting troop deployment. The ruling stems from Trump's broader effort to address protests related to federal immigration enforcement in Democrat-controlled cities, despite strong opposition from local officials.

Who is affected

President Donald Trump and his administration
Portland, Oregon city residents and officials
Oregon National Guard members
Local officials in Portland, including the city attorney Caroline Turco
US District Judge Karin Immergut
Democrat-led cities facing similar federal intervention (Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington DC)
Federal immigration detention facility personnel in Portland

What action is being taken

A permanent court order is blocking National Guard deployment to Portland
The Trump administration is deploying troops to other cities as part of efforts to address protests against federal immigration raids
Portland police are containing violence in the city

Why it matters

This case represents a significant constitutional conflict between federal executive power and state sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment. The ruling establishes judicial limits on a president's authority to deploy military forces in American cities without clear legal justification, preventing potential overreach of federal power into local law enforcement matters. The decision is particularly important because it addresses the fundamental question of whether the United States operates under constitutional law or martial law, with implications for the balance of power between federal and state governments in managing civil unrest.

What's next

The Trump administration is widely expected to appeal the decision
The case could potentially reach the Supreme Court
A higher court may establish clearer standards for when a president can deploy military forces in American cities

Read full article from source: BBC