Federal Judge Blocks Trump’s National Guard Deployment
A federal judge made a significant ruling late Sunday night against President Donald Trump’s plans. US District Judge Karin Immergut declared the case to be illegal and unconstitutional, issuing a temporary restraining order that halts the deployment of the California State Guard. This order also prevents any troops from other states, including Washington, DC, from being used in Oregon.
In her ruling, Immergut emphasized that the actions taken by the Trump administration contravened federal law 10 USC §12406 and the 10th Amendment. “It seems to violate both USC §12406 and the 10th Amendment,” she remarked during the proceedings, according to a report by Adam Klasfeld of Allrise News.
Immergut pressed Justice Department lawyer Eric Hamilton on why the DOJ was still pursuing military movements. “Please don’t directly violate the TRO published yesterday,” she urged him, asking if the accused had evaded her order.
Hamilton maintained that there was no violation but offered a comprehensive defense. “We must assert that Oregon’s conditions will ensure the National Guard will deploy,” he argued.
Scott Kennedy from Oregon likened the situation to a “rhetorical whac-a-mole game,” referencing suggestions that Trump might send Texas State Guard troops to Chicago.
Even though a DOJ representative requested a stay, Immergut denied the motion, insisting it was “urgent” and that no new facts warranted a change to the previous decision. “I manage this in a restricted briefing in emergencies,” she stated, noting that no new information was presented regarding issues in Portland.
California Governor Gavin Newsom quickly took to social media to celebrate the ruling, claiming victory. “Destruction: We won in court – again. A federal judge blocked an illegal attempt to deploy Donald Trump’s 300-man National Guard forces to Portland. The court granted the request for a temporary restraining order,” he posted.
In response, the Justice Department has indicated that the president plans to contest the ruling, arguing that he holds the authority to deploy the National Guard in situations of “domestic uncertainty.”
