A federal judge issued [1] a temporary restraining order blocking President Donald Trump from activating and federalizing the Oregon National Guard for deployment in Portland amid riots and anti-ICE demonstrations near a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility.
Legal insurrection. The President is the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, not an Oregon judge. Portland and Oregon law enforcement, at the direction of local leaders, have refused to aid ICE officers facing relentless terrorist assault and threats to life. (There are more… https://t.co/vMwF0nlU9U [2]
— Stephen Miller (@StephenM) October 5, 2025 [3]
In the written order, U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut stated: “This Court GRANTS Plaintiffs’ Motion for Temporary Restraining Order, ECF 6, and temporarily enjoins Defendants’ September 28, 2025, Memorandum ordering the federalization and deployment of Oregon National Guard service members to Portland.” The filing halts the Sept. 28 directive while the case proceeds.
The ruling follows steps announced Sept. 28 by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to mobilize National Guard units to Portland after the administration designated Antifa a terrorist organization.
BREAKING: Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has officially ordered National Guard troops into Portland for the next 60 days pic.twitter.com/jeeRT02yAm [4]
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) September 28, 2025 [5]
The State of Oregon filed suit and sought emergency relief to prevent federalized Guard deployment in the city.
In supporting materials, the Portland Police Bureau described protest activity in September as “very energized,” noting “over 50 to 60” militants wearing black bloc.
Filings from both the U.S. Department of Justice and the State of Oregon cited protest conditions to advance their positions on federal involvement and public safety.
BREAKING: I went behind the scenes at the ICE facility in Portland with the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Protective Service (@FPSDHS [6]).
As anti-ICE protesters lay siege to the ICE facility for more than 90 consecutive days, here’s an inside look at the officers who… pic.twitter.com/Uy5pe4jJ5D [7]
— Katie Daviscourt (@KatieDaviscourt) September 11, 2025 [8]
Judge Immergut’s order referenced constitutional concerns about military involvement in civilian contexts, writing that the “country has a longstanding and foundational tradition of resistance to government overreach, especially in the form of military intrusion into civil affairs.”
The court concluded that the federal action identified in the Sept. 28 memorandum fell within the category described in the order and warranted temporary injunctive relief.
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield welcomed the ruling.
“We just secured a court order blocking the president’s order to deploy federalized National Guard troops to Portland when a federal judge granted our request for a Temporary Restraining Order. Read our statement,” he said in a public post.
BREAKING NEWS: We just secured a court order blocking the president’s order to deploy federalized National Guard troops to Portland when a federal judge granted our request for a Temporary Restraining Order. Read our statement. #orpol [9] #nationalguard [10] #portland [11] #portlandoregon [12] pic.twitter.com/XUPANp9zdq [13]
— Attorney General Dan Rayfield (@AGDanRayfield) October 4, 2025 [14]
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek issued a statement of support, saying, “The truth has prevailed. The federal court ruled in Oregon’s favor to block a military intervention in Portland.
While this ruling is only the first step, it’s a step in the right direction. Thanks to Attorney General Rayfield and his team for great work.”
The truth has prevailed. The federal court ruled in Oregon’s favor to block a military intervention in Portland. While this ruling is only the first step, it’s a step in the right direction. Thanks to Attorney General Rayfield and his team for great work. https://t.co/nYwWlvDt9t [15]
— Governor Tina Kotek (@GovTinaKotek) October 5, 2025 [16]
On the same day Judge Immergut issued the restraining order, federal agents at an ICE facility in Portland made multiple arrests during protests outside the building.
Blackhawk helicopters were observed over the area and federal agents deployed tear gas, according to on-scene reports.
BREAKING: DHS has deployed BLACKHAWKS over the ICE facility in Portland, as rioters get tear-gassed and pepperballed by agents
Following my wrongful arrest, Secretary Noem promised to SURGE additional DHS resources into the area.
Looks like she’s following through! NO MERCY! pic.twitter.com/sBej0cW1h6 [17]
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) October 4, 2025 [18]
The Department of Homeland Security said resources for ICE operations in Portland will be increased, with DHS Secretary Kristi Noem committing additional support.
The law enforcement activity followed arrests earlier in the week.
The Post Millennial reporter Katie Daviscourt reported being assaulted by an Antifa-aligned individual while covering protests near the ICE facility.
NEW: Post Millennial Journalist @KatieDaviscourt [19] got a BLACK-EYE from TRANTIFA and she says PORTLAND PD REFUSED to ARREST the attacker
“I ran straight to a Portland police officer. I tracked the suspect for 35 minutes through the streets and told them, “This is the person… pic.twitter.com/gFcISeVNdE [20]
— Jesse Watters (@JesseBWatters) October 2, 2025 [21]
Although officers made other arrests, Portland Police later asked the public for help identifying a suspect in that incident.
On Friday evening, authorities detained at least two people near the ICE site.
Federal authorities say protest activity around the ICE facility has continued throughout the summer.
The FBI reports more than 120 arrests since June tied to related incidents in the area.
Federal agencies said the planned National Guard activation was intended to provide protection for federal personnel and facilities during ongoing operations in Portland.
The temporary restraining order remains in effect while the case proceeds on an expedited schedule.
The order pauses the Sept. 28 memorandum concerning federalization and deployment of Oregon National Guard units pending further hearings and additional court rulings.
The parties are expected to submit supplemental filings addressing the scope of federal authority, public safety considerations, and the role of state and local law enforcement in Portland during continuing protest activity.