Federal Judge Blocks Trump Plan to Deploy National Guard in Portland
PORTLAND, Ore. – A federal judge temporarily blocked former President Donald Trump’s recent plan to deploy National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon, halting a move critics characterized as a revival of tactics employed during the 2020 racial justice protests. The ruling came late Friday, following a lawsuit filed by Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum, who argued the deployment would violate constitutional rights and exceed federal authority.
The legal challenge centers on Trump’s announcement earlier this week proposing the use of the National Guard to quell ongoing unrest in the city, specifically targeting clashes between demonstrators and counter-protesters. Rosenblum contends the deployment lacks legal justification and mirrors the controversial actions taken in 2020 when federal agents were sent to Portland over the objections of state and local leaders following the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police. That deployment, intended to protect federal property, resulted in nightly clashes, the use of tear gas and rubber bullets, and the arrest of individuals in unmarked vehicles. A Department of Homeland Security inspector general report later found many agents lacked adequate training and equipment for the mission.
During the 2020 protests, federal agents repeatedly deployed tear gas on crowds, including one instance in the evening where approximately 100 peopel were targeted. The administration ultimately agreed to settle an excessive force lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union,compensating plaintiffs for injuries sustained during the demonstrations. The current dispute underscores ongoing tensions between federal and state authority regarding the handling of protests and the limits of federal intervention in local law enforcement matters. The judge’s temporary restraining order will remain in effect until a further hearing can be held to determine the legality of Trump’s proposed deployment.
