UPDATE: A federal judge has just issued a permanent ruling blocking President Donald Trump from deploying the National Guard to Portland, Oregon, declaring he exceeded his authority. The ruling was made by Judge Karin Immergut following a three-day trial, which concluded last week.
THIS IS DEVELOPING: The judge’s decision, made on October 25, 2025, comes after a heated legal battle over Trump’s controversial deployment of federal troops amid ongoing protests at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Portland. Judge Immergut emphasized that the deployment was not requested by the necessary federal officials and was opposed by Oregon’s governor.
In her ruling, Immergut stated, “The evidence demonstrates that these deployments… exceeded the president’s authority.” She rejected the administration’s claims that the protests constituted a rebellion, which would justify military intervention. “Even giving great deference to the President’s determination, the President did not have a lawful basis to federalize the National Guard,” she noted.
The implications of this ruling are profound. With Trump threatening similar actions across other Democratic-run cities, the judge acknowledged that the legal questions surrounding the deployment could escalate to higher courts. “The ‘precise standard’ to demarcate the line past which conditions would satisfy the statutory standard to deploy the military in the streets of American cities is ultimately a question for a higher court to decide,” Immergut remarked.
As protests against immigration policies continue, this ruling marks a significant victory for state officials and civil rights advocates who argue against excessive federal control. The decision has already drawn attention from legal experts and political commentators, highlighting the ongoing struggle over executive power during tumultuous times.
WHAT’S NEXT: Observers are now watching closely as the Trump administration may consider appealing the decision. This ruling not only affects Portland but may set a precedent for future federal actions in other cities facing similar unrest.
Stay tuned for more updates as this situation develops. This ruling is expected to resonate beyond Oregon, influencing nationwide discussions about the balance of power between state and federal authorities.
