A federal judge has temporarily halted President Trump’s order to deploy National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon, citing questions over presidential authority. The ruling follows legal challenges from Oregon officials claiming the move violated the Posse Comitatus Act. The decision temporarily restricts federal involvement as the city faces ongoing unrest and escalating violence in parts of its downtown area.
The deployment was intended to address renewed rioting, vandalism, and attacks on law enforcement facilities. Federal lawyers argued the president acted within his constitutional powers to restore order, emphasizing the federal government’s duty to protect its property and personnel. The court, however, issued a temporary restraining order blocking the mobilization pending further review.
The Justice Department plans to appeal, maintaining that the president holds authority to deploy the Guard to protect federal property and enforce federal law. Legal analysts say the ruling could set a precedent for how far a president can go in using federal forces to address civil disorder within states that resist assistance. The White House reiterated that restoring safety in American cities remains a top priority and that federal resources will be used “lawfully and decisively.”
