A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to deploy National Guard troops from California to Portland, Oregon. U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut, appointed by President Trump in 2019, issued the restraining order on Sunday night, halting the deployment of any National Guard units to Oregon. ([washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/2025/10/05/national-guard-oregon-california-trump-newsom/0c6403ea-a212-11f0-a79e-ccb5b1f59130_story.html?utm_source=openai))
This legal action follows a series of events beginning on September 27, when President Trump announced plans to send federal troops to Portland, citing the need to protect the city. In response, the State of Oregon and the City of Portland filed a lawsuit to prevent the deployment of the Oregon National Guard, arguing that the city was peaceful and did not require military intervention. Judge Immergut initially granted a temporary restraining order on October 4, blocking the federalization of the Oregon National Guard. ([portland.gov](https://www.portland.gov/federal/news/2025/10/4/judge-blocks-deployment-california-national-guard-or-any-other-national?utm_source=openai))
Undeterred, the Trump administration attempted to circumvent this ruling by deploying 300 California National Guard troops to Portland. California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the move as a “breathtaking abuse of the law and power” and announced the state’s intention to sue the administration. California joined Oregon’s lawsuit, and Judge Immergut extended her restraining order to include National Guard troops from any state, effectively blocking the deployment. ([gov.ca.gov](https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/10/05/california-secures-court-victory-trump-cannot-deploy-california-national-guard-into-oregon/?utm_source=openai))
In her ruling, Judge Immergut emphasized the importance of state sovereignty and the tradition of civilian governance over military intervention. She noted that the protests in Portland were not significantly violent or disruptive and that local law enforcement was capable of handling the situation. The judge’s order is set to expire in 14 days, with a hearing scheduled for October 17 to consider a more permanent injunction. ([washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/2025/10/05/national-guard-oregon-california-trump-newsom/0c6403ea-a212-11f0-a79e-ccb5b1f59130_story.html?utm_source=openai))
The Trump administration has appealed the ruling, maintaining that the deployment is necessary to protect federal property amid ongoing protests. This legal battle underscores the ongoing tensions between federal authority and state rights, particularly concerning the use of military forces in domestic law enforcement. ([time.com](https://time.com/7323455/newsom-legal-win-trump-national-guard-deployment-democratic-cities/?utm_source=openai))