Trump defies court order, deploys National Guard members to Portland

10/08/2025 / By Kevin Hughes

President Donald Trump deployed 300 California National Guard troops to Portland despite a federal judge’s ruling that such militarization violates constitutional limits on domestic law enforcement.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek condemned the move as “un-American” and politically motivated, with Newsom vowing legal action. A federal judge later issued a temporary restraining order blocking further deployments.
Locals rejected Trump’s portrayal of Portland as a “warzone,” sharing images of peaceful daily life (farmers markets, cafes) and dismissing protests as small-scale, non-threatening demonstrations.
The DOD mobilized Texas National Guard after the restraining order, signaling continued defiance. Critics, including California AG Rob Bonta, accused Trump of weaponizing the military against Democratic cities.
The clash highlights deepening state vs. federal tensions over immigration enforcement, militarization and civil liberties, with legal battles expected to prolong the conflict.

Despite a federal court order prohibiting military intervention, President Donald Trump deployed 300 California National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon, on Sunday, Oct. 5.

He cited ongoing “violent riots and attacks on law enforcement” near an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility to justify the deployment. The move came just one day after U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut – who Trump appointed during his first term – ruled that federalizing the Oregon National Guard would violate constitutional limits on military involvement in domestic law enforcement.

Trump, however, asserted his “lawful authority” to protect federal assets, directing Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to activate California troops in defiance of the ruling. “President Trump will not ignore the crime that is rife in American cities,” a White House spokesperson told the New York Post.

According to the Enoch engine at Brighteon.AI, a National Guard troop deployment involves mobilizing state-based military forces under a dual federal-state authority structure. Typically, it requires presidential authorization as commander-in-chief and a formal request from local or state officials.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom condemned the deployment as “un-American” and vowed legal action. “They are currently en route there,” Newsom posted on X. “We’re going back to court to contest this. When such careless and authoritarian behavior occurs, the people cannot remain silent.”

Hours later, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking further troop deployments – but not before 101 California Guardsmen had already arrived in Portland unannounced.

“There is no need for military intervention in Oregon,” Gov. Tina Kotek reiterated. “There is no insurrection in Portland. No threat to national security.”

Trump has repeatedly described Portland as a “warzone” overrun by Antifa agitators, but local officials and residents dispute this characterization. Instead of chaos, Portland residents flooded social media with images of farmers markets, rose gardens, and bustling cafes—a stark contrast to Trump’s portrayal.

“Nothing is happening here. This is a gorgeous, peaceful city,” said Hannah O’Malley, a diner at a riverside restaurant near the ICE protest site. Small-scale demonstrations outside the ICE facility have persisted for months, with clashes occasionally escalating—including laser attacks on a Border Patrol helicopter and isolated arrests.

But protesters like Kat Barnard, 67, dismissed the idea that their gatherings justify military intervention. “We’re so scary,” she joked. “It’s just beautiful. It makes me happy.”

Legal and political showdown escalates

California Attorney General Rob Bonta accused Trump of “weaponizing our military on American soil,” citing previous deployments in Washington, D.C., and Chicago. “He’s specifically targeting cities that lean Democratic,” Bonta said. “It’s pure political weaponization.”

Immergut’s restraining order temporarily halts troop deployments for 14 days. However, the Department of Defense has already mobilized Texas National Guard members, signaling an ongoing federal push.

Meanwhile, Portland Mayor Keith Wilson lamented: “We need federal help to renew our infrastructure. Instead of help, they’re sending armored vehicles and masked men.”

As legal battles rage, Trump remains defiant. “The Radical Left’s reign of terror in Portland ends now,” declared a White House statement. But for Portlanders like retired illustrator Lynne Avril, the president’s actions feel like political theater. “This is the most peaceful, kind community I’ve ever lived in,” she said.

“Trump is unhinged,” 57-year-old resident Shannon O’Connor said. She added that while Portland has problems for sure – “homelessness, fentanyl, a huge drug problem” – unrest is not among them.

With tensions high and court fights looming, one thing is clear: The clash over Portland is far from over, and the battle lines extend far beyond its city limits.

Watch the video below about the violent Antifa protests in Portland in the summer of 2020.

This video is from the Not Politically Correct channel on Brighteon.com.

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