A federal judge in Oregon has temporarily halted the Trump administration’s plan to deploy hundreds of National Guard troops to Portland after more than 100 consecutive days of raging anti-ICE protests.
US District Judge Karin Immergut, a Trump nominee, issued the order on Saturday, saying the president’s plan to use active-duty military to secure the “war-ravaged” Oregon city would violate the US Constitution.
“The relationship between the federal government and the states, between the military and domestic law enforcement, and the balance of powers between the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government,” she wrote in her ruling.
“Whether we choose to follow what the Constitution mandates with respect to these three relationships goes to the heart of what it means to live under the rule of law in the United States.”
The temporary restraining order blocking Trump’s move will expire in 14 days.
Last week, Trump announced plans to send 200 National Guards troops to Portland to support immigration authorities and fend off “domestic terrorists.” using “full force, if necessary.”
State officials immediately sued to block Trump from deploying the troops – which have already been sent to Democratic-run cities, including Los Angeles, Washington, DC, Chicago, and Memphis – to Portland.
Trump responded Friday by directing his administration to search for federal funds to slash in Portland.
“I just spoke with the president about this, and he has directed his team here at the White House to begin reviewing aid that can potentially be cut in Portland,” White House press secretary Karolina Leavitt announced during a rare Friday briefing.
“We will not fund states that allow anarchy. There will also be an additional surge of federal resources to Portland immediately. Law and order will prevail and President Trump will make sure of it.”
Since June, wild protests have rocked south Portland, where Antifa agitators — some in bizarre getups — have swarmed an ICE detention center, vandalizing the site as violent clashes with federal agents erupt.
Federal immigration officials say the facility has been under attack for more than 100 straight nights — with little backup from local cops, who have been reportedly ordered to stand down by city officials.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi also launched an investigation into the Portland Police Bureau after officers on Thursday arrested conservative reporter Nick Sortor while covering the chaos.
With Post wires.
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