Federal Judge Blocks Trump's National Guard Deployment to Portland
In a significant legal setback for the Trump administration, a federal judge in Oregon has blocked the deployment of National Guard troops to Portland. This ruling, issued by Judge Karin Immergut, prevents troops from Texas and California from being sent to the city, marking the second time in two days that she has ruled against the administration's plans. The initial ruling had already blocked the deployment of Oregon's own National Guard.
Legal Challenges and Rationale
Judge Immergut, a Trump appointee, stated that there was no evidence to justify the need for federalized troops in Portland, emphasizing that deploying military forces without Oregon's approval threatened the state's sovereignty. She questioned the administration's attempt to circumvent her previous order by reassigning troops from Los Angeles to Portland. The judge's ruling, which remains in effect until October 19th, underscored concerns about potential violations of the Tenth Amendment and other federal statutes.
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the state would sue the Trump administration over the deployment of California National Guard troops to Portland. He stated that "Trump is using the U.S. military as a political weapon against American citizens," labeling the move a "breathtaking abuse of the law and power." Newsom argued that the deployment was not about public safety but about political power.
Reactions and Political Fallout
The ruling has elicited strong reactions from both sides of the political spectrum. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek criticized Trump's actions as an attempt to "occupy and incite cities and states that don't share his politics." Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield praised the ruling, asserting that "the president can't keep playing whack-a-mole with different states' Guard units to get around court orders and the rule of law."
Conversely, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller condemned the ruling as "one of the most egregious and thunderous violations of constitutional order we have ever seen." He argued that there is no legal distinction between volunteering guardsmen to guard the border and volunteering guardsmen to guard a federal immigration facility.
Implications for Other Cities
The Trump administration also targeted Chicago, authorizing the deployment of Illinois National Guard members to protect federal officers. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker criticized this move, accusing the administration of attempting to manufacture a crisis and create a "war zone" to justify the deployment. He also called on Texas Governor Greg Abbott to withdraw support for the deployment of Texas National Guard members to Illinois and Oregon. Abbott defended his decision, stating that he "fully authorized" Trump's decision to call up the Texas National Guard to ensure safety for federal officials.
These events highlight the escalating tensions between the federal government and state and local leaders over the use of federal troops in response to protests and unrest in major cities. The legal challenges and political rhetoric suggest a continued battle over the scope of federal authority and the rights of states to govern themselves.
