A US federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deploying National Guard troops from Texas and California to Portland, Oregon.
The decision late on Sunday comes after the same court denied Trump's attempt to deploy Oregon's own National Guard members to Portland.
Portland is the latest Democrat-led city targeted as part of the president's attempt to address what he says is out-of-control crime, amid protests over his administration's immigration enforcement.
Trump has also authorised the deployment of National Guard troops from other states to Chicago in Illinois, to address what he says is out-of-control crime.
The ruling from US District Judge Karin Immergut came shortly after the Pentagon confirmed 200 members of the California National Guard had been reassigned to Portland to 'support US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal personnel performing official duties.'
Judge Immergut, appointed by Trump, argued there was no evidence that recent protests necessitated the presence of federally deployed National Guard troops. The ruling will remain effective until at least 19 October.
Trump's administration has indicated that the president was exercising his lawful authority to protect federal assets and personnel in Portland following violent riots.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker criticized the deployment as 'Trump's invasion', asserting there was no reason to send troops without local consent and expressing concern that such measures would escalate tensions.
Protests in Portland have been ongoing, fueled by the Trump administration's strict immigration policies and perceived injustices, underscoring a broader national struggle over federal involvement in local policing.
In September, a California judge ruled against similar troop deployments, complicating the administration's attempts to mobilize military resources for domestic unrest. The situation continues to evolve, with significant implications for state-federal relations and civil rights.
