Federal Judge Blocks Trump from Sending National Guard Troops to Portland, Chicago, and Oregon

In a significant legal rebuke to the Trump administration, a federal judge on Sunday issued a temporary block against the deployment of National Guard units from California, Texas, and other states to Portland, Oregon, as well as to Chicago. The ruling came shortly after President Donald Trump authorized the dispatch of approximately 400 National Guard members to multiple “Democratic-led cities” amid ongoing protests and unrest.

The president’s decision to send troops from California to protect federal buildings in Portland was met with swift judicial resistance. The court’s injunction stops not only California troops but also Texas National Guard members from being sent to Portland and Chicago to support law enforcement efforts.

White House officials defended the president’s orders, claiming that Trump “exercised his lawful authority to protect federal assets and personnel” following what they described as violent riots and attacks on law enforcement officers. The administration maintains that the deployment of National Guard troops is necessary to control crime and safeguard federal agents amid escalating tensions in several cities.

However, the federal judge’s ruling emphasized that the National Guard is not a tool for the president’s personal use and called into question the legality of unilateral federal deployments into states without proper authorization or agreement. This decision marks a critical moment in the ongoing debate over federal intervention in city-level protests and law enforcement matters.

This temporary block reflects broader national controversies over the federal government’s role in managing civil unrest, particularly in politically sensitive urban areas. The judge’s decision is expected to be challenged further in court as the administration seeks to defend its policies and use of National Guard resources.

Meanwhile, protests and calls for change continue in Portland and other cities, underscoring ongoing demands for accountability, justice, and reform in law enforcement and public safety practices across the country.