Appeals court allows Trump to deploy National Guard to Portland

October 21, 2025

A US appeals court has ruled that President Donald Trump can deploy National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon, overturning a previous judge's order that had blocked the deployment during a legal challenge. However, deployment remains uncertain because a second court order prohibiting Trump from sending any troops to Oregon is still in effect. The Justice Department argued troops are needed to address protests at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility, with the appeals court calling Trump's 60-day deployment plan a "measured response.

Who is affected

Portland, Oregon residents
Oregon National Guard troops
Protesters at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility
Federal agents at the ICE facility
Residents of other cities where National Guard troops have been ordered (Washington DC and Los Angeles)

What action is being taken

The US Justice Department is appealing court orders blocking troop deployment
The Ninth US Circuit Court of Appeals is reviewing the legal challenges to Trump's deployment orders
Protests are continuing outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Portland
Oregon officials are opposing the deployment of National Guard troops to Portland

Why it matters

The court ruling addresses presidential authority to deploy National Guard troops against the wishes of local officials
It represents part of Trump's broader initiative to crack down on what he describes as rampant crime in Democratic-led cities
The case creates tension between federal and state authority over National Guard deployment
The ruling was decided along partisan lines with Trump-appointed judges supporting the deployment
Oregon's Attorney General warns this could give presidents "unilateral power" to deploy state soldiers with minimal justification

What's next

The district court must still rule on the second temporary restraining order that blocks Trump from sending any troops from any state to Oregon
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield is urging judges to "vacate the majority's order before the illegal deployment of troops under false pretenses can occur"

Read full article from source: BBC