Federal Court Halts Troop Plan Despite White House Warnings Of Antifa Attacks On Federal Buildings & Officers
Monday, October 6, 2025, 9:45 A.M. ET. 3 Minute Read, By Jennifer Hodges: Englebrook Independent News,
PORTLAND, OR.- A federal judge late Sunday night blocked President Donald Trump’s plan to send National Guard troops into Portland, Oregon, ruling that the administration had overstepped its constitutional authority by attempting to override state control of its own militia forces.
U.S. District Judge Karin J. Immergut issued a temporary restraining order that bars the deployment of any National Guard personnel, whether from Oregon or other states, for 14 days while the court considers broader arguments. The decision followed an emergency hearing after the administration began mobilizing out-of-state Guard troops to support operations in Portland, Oregon.
In her ruling, Judge Immergut held that the federal government had not sufficiently demonstrated that the protests and clashes in Portland rose to the level of “rebellion” or “insurrection” that would permit unilateral executive action. She noted that her decision was limited in scope and time, pending further review.
White House Argument: Protecting Federal Property and Officers;
The Trump administration had argued forcefully for the deployment, citing repeated attacks by Antifa-linked demonstrators on federal courthouses, immigration offices, and federal law enforcement personnel. Senior Justice Department lawyers told the court that without reinforcements, “the government cannot fulfill its constitutional duty to safeguard federal property, officers, and operations in Oregon.”
In filings and public statements, the White House framed the deployment as a matter of necessity, not politics. “When federal buildings are firebombed, when federal officers are assaulted, the President has an obligation to act,” one senior official said.
State and Local Pushback;
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek and Portland city leaders countered that the federal presence would escalate tensions rather than calm them. They insisted the city was making progress in reducing clashes through local policing and community engagement. “This ruling is a victory for federalism and Oregon’s right to self-govern,” Governor Kotek said after the decision.
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler said Immergut’s order affirmed the city’s ability to manage its own streets. “We do not need or want federal troops on Portland corners,” he said.
What Comes Next?
Legal experts note that the case could move quickly to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and perhaps the Supreme Court, given the constitutional questions raised: presidential authority under Title 10, the Insurrection Act, and the Tenth Amendment’s limits on federal encroachment into state affairs.
Meanwhile, protests in Portland continue, although reports suggest that violent incidents have decreased compared to earlier this year. Federal officers remain stationed at specific high-risk sites, though without National Guard reinforcements.
The Trump administration has not yet announced whether it will appeal Immergut’s order, but officials have signaled they view the ruling as a dangerous limitation on executive power in the face of threats to federal assets.
Editor’s Note:
This article is based on Judge Karin Immergut’s official ruling, federal court filings, and statements from the Oregon Governor’s Office, the Portland Mayor’s Office, and the U.S. Department of Justice. The reporting also reflects coverage from Associated Press, Reuters, and Oregon-based media outlets. Updates will follow as appeals or new motions are filed.
