Federal Trial Begins Over Trump’s National Guard Deployment in Portland

Thu Oct 30 2025 10:32:10 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A federal trial is underway in Portland as the city and state challenge President Trump's authority to deploy the National Guard amidst ongoing protests.

The federal trial in Portland addresses the legality of President Trump deploying the National Guard to manage protests, with local officials testifying against federal agents' excessive force. This case highlights the tension between state sovereignty and federal authority in civil unrest management. The court has previously issued temporary restraining orders against the deployment, further complicating the constitutional debate around the use of military forces domestically.

PORTLAND, Ore. — A federal trial has commenced regarding the contentious issue of whether President Donald Trump can legally deploy the National Guard in Portland, Oregon. Local police officials are expected to testify, claiming federal agents have exacerbated recent protests through their use of excessive force.

U.S. District Court Judge Karin Immergut, nominated by Trump, is presiding over this significant trial instigated by a lawsuit from the city and state against the Trump administration, aiming to impede the troop deployment.

Judge Immergut has previously issued two temporary restraining orders that blocked the National Guard from being deployed, citing that Trump did not fulfill the legal prerequisites established by Congress for domestic military use. She described Trump’s remarks regarding Portland as being untethered to the facts.

The latest developments saw a three-judge panel from the 9th U.S. Court of Appeals pause one of Immergut’s orders, but this was later vacated, with a rehearing scheduled before an 11-judge panel.

This complex case reflects the broader national discourse on state sovereignty versus federal intervention, particularly in cities like Chicago, which have also filed similar lawsuits against the Trump administration. The administration argues that the deployment is necessary to maintain law and order, citing disruptions caused by the protests as justification.

Protests at the ICE building in Portland have been frequent, with federal forces allegedly using tear gas and crowd control methods during confrontations. Local authorities contend that federal agents have employed excessive force, compromising the right to peaceful protest.

During the trial, both sides are expected to present evidence and witness testimonies, engaging in a debate that touches on constitutional rights, federal authority, and the handling of civil unrest.