9th Circuit Clears Way for Federalizing Oregon Guard

A divided three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit temporarily stayed a lower-court order, finding the Trump administration likely had statutory authority to federalize and deploy National Guard troops to Portland to protect federal personnel and property. The majority cited violent incidents at a Portland ICE facility — including attempts to burn the building, thrown projectiles, assaults on federal officers and doxxing — and stressed judicial deference to the president’s determination of troop necessity. U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut’s broader temporary restraining order that bars federalized National Guard members from entering Oregon remains in effect, leaving any deployment contested. Oregon and city officials have sought an en banc rehearing and other legal challenges, and civil-rights groups and some judges warned the decision risks eroding state control and constitutional limits on domestic military use. Related challenges are pending in other jurisdictions and the government has urged lower courts to dissolve parallel orders, making further appellate proceedings likely.