A U.S. federal judge has determined that former President Donald Trump unlawfully deployed National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon, representing a major legal setback for the Trump administration’s military involvement in domestic issues. U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut, appointed by Trump, ruled that the administration did not have a legal justification to claim a rebellion or to invoke emergency powers for this deployment. Her 106-page decision permanently prohibits the use of National Guard forces in Portland.
The lawsuit was initiated by the City of Portland and Oregon’s Attorney General, who contended that the Trump administration had exaggerated isolated instances of violence to rationalize military intervention. During the trial, government representatives described the city as being under siege, while the defense argued that protests were localized and managed by local law enforcement. Immergut concluded that the level of violence was minimal and had already diminished by the time the National Guard was deployed in late September 2025.
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield celebrated the ruling as a significant victory, emphasizing accountability to the truth and the law. Portland’s Mayor, Keith Wilson, echoed this sentiment, stating that the decision vindicates Portland’s stance and supports the rule of law protecting the community. In contrast, the White House defended Trump’s actions and expressed intentions to appeal the ruling, with spokesperson Abigail Jackson asserting that the administration expects to be exonerated by a higher court. This ruling suggests that Trump’s actions may have exceeded legal authority, and the case may eventually escalate to the Supreme Court as the administration retains its assertion of military deployment rights in response to domestic unrest.
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