Tuesday, October 21, 2025-A federal appeals court has ruled that Donald Trump can deploy National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon, marking a major victory for his administration in its ongoing standoff with state officials.
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, in a 2–1 decision, lifted a lower court’s restraining order that had blocked the move. The ruling effectively grants the president authority to federalize Oregon’s National Guard under a rarely used statute allowing such action when regular forces are deemed insufficient to enforce federal law.
The decision has reignited fierce debate over presidential power and state sovereignty. Oregon’s governor and attorney general condemned the ruling, warning that it undermines the state’s constitutional control over its own troops.
Civil rights advocates have also raised alarm, saying the deployment could inflame tensions around protests and erode public trust in federal institutions. Supporters of the decision, however, argue that restoring order in Portland requires stronger federal intervention and that the president’s authority is clear under existing law.
Legal experts say the case could reshape the balance between federal and state control of the National Guard. While the appeals court’s decision allows Trump to move forward, a separate restraining order remains in place, meaning deployment is not yet fully authorized.
Further hearings are expected in the coming weeks, and the ruling may ultimately be reviewed by the full Ninth Circuit. The outcome could set a lasting precedent for how future presidents wield military authority within U.S. borders.
0 Comments