October 4th, a Trump-appointed federal judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking President Donald Trump from deploying 200 members of Oregon’s National Guard to Portland.
U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut issued the order late Saturday, halting the deployment for at least 14 days. She ruled that there was insufficient evidence showing Portland’s protests had escalated to the level of “rebellion” or were seriously impeding law enforcement—conditions required to justify federalizing the state’s guard.
Immergut, appointed during Trump’s first term, wrote that Oregon is likely to succeed in its argument that the president’s actions are unlawful and violate the state’s Tenth Amendment rights.
“The recent incidents between protesters and federal law enforcement are inexcusable,” Immergut stated, “but they are nowhere near the type of incidents that cannot be handled by regular law enforcement forces.”
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield confirmed the state plans to seek an extension of the order before its October 18th expiration.
In response to the block, President Trump has reportedly called up 300 members of California’s National Guard, according to Governor Gavin Newsom.
The White House has made no official announcement regarding the California deployment—mirroring the earlier confusion surrounding the activation of Illinois’ troops.
October 5th, Newsom posted on X that California personnel were enroute, calling the deployment “a breathtaking abuse of the law and power.”
After a federal court blocked his attempt to federalize the Oregon National Guard, Donald Trump is deploying 300 California National Guard personnel into Oregon. They are on their way there now.
— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) October 5, 2025
We are taking this fight back to court.
The public cannot stay silent in the face…
The Democratic governor announced plans to sue the Trump administration, accusing the president of using the military as “political pawns to build up his own ego.”
BREAKING: We’re suing Donald Trump.
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) October 5, 2025
His deployment of the California National Guard to Oregon isn’t about crime.
It’s about power.
He is using our military as political pawns to build up his own ego.
It’s appalling. It’s un-American.
And it must stop. pic.twitter.com/jdIMGz8hDP
Trump has repeatedly characterized Portland and Chicago as cities “rife with crime and unrest,” calling Portland a “war zone” and insisting that overwhelming force is necessary to restore order.
Since the start of his second term, the president has sent—or discussed sending—National Guard troops to ten cities. Those currently receiving active federal support are:
