California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Sunday that he plans to take legal action against the White House concerning its intention to send 300 members of the California National Guard to Portland.
The announcement comes in the wake of a federal judge’s ruling that temporarily blocked President Donald Trump’s effort to federalize and deploy the Oregon National Guard for a period of at least 14 days.
In a statement, Newsom described the actions of the Trump administration as a ‘breathtaking abuse of the law and power.’
‘We are witnessing an unapologetic attack on the rule of law itself,’ Newsom asserted.
‘This administration is disregarding court orders and treating judges, even those appointed by the President, as political adversaries.’
The situation escalated after U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut issued her ruling on Saturday, stating that the grounds put forth by President Trump to justify the deployment of the Oregon National Guard fell short of the high standards required to proceed without the state’s governor’s approval.
While there have been protests in Portland, the judge determined that they are ‘not significantly violent or disruptive’ enough to warrant such a federal deployment.
Immergut emphasized that while the protests are concerning, they can be adequately managed by local law enforcement.
Her ruling specifically affects 200 soldiers who were scheduled to be deployed after training on Oregon’s coast.
Responding swiftly, the Trump administration filed a notice of appeal, contesting Immergut’s decision.
The case is expected to move to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which earlier this year had lifted a similar order that blocked National Guard deployment to Los Angeles.
In a previous social media post, President Trump had described Portland as ‘war-ravaged,’ justifying the National Guard’s deployment by citing the need for protection of immigration facilities.
However, Judge Immergut rebutted Trump’s assertion that Portland is chaotic, asserting it was ‘simply untethered to the facts.’
She noted that President Trump’s attempt likely exceeded his constitutional authority.
Immergut expressed concern that the administration’s actions risk blur the necessary boundaries between military and civil governance.
She wrote, ‘This country has a longstanding and foundational tradition of resistance to government overreach, especially in the form of military intrusion into civil affairs.’
These historical considerations hinge on the principle that the nation operates under constitutional law rather than martial law.
The judge pointed out that the arguments presented by the administration, if recognized, risk compromising the delicate balance between civil and military federal authority, which could be detrimental to the nation.
Despite President Trump’s usual entitlement to a significant level of deference in such matters, Immergut contended that this does not extend to dismissing factual evidence.
She further noted that Trump’s own statements concerning the intended deployment suggest that his motivations may not have been grounded in good faith.
Immergut concluded that the President’s actions not only exceed federal legal authority but also infringe upon the Tenth Amendment, which protects the sovereignty of states like Oregon.
In her decision, Immergut highlighted the significance of the issues involved, tracing back fundamental principles that define the nation’s constitutional democracy.
She emphasized the critical relationships between federal and state governments, the U.S. military and domestic law enforcement, and the judiciary’s role.
‘Whether we choose to follow what the Constitution mandates with respect to these three relationships goes to the heart of what it means to live under the rule of law in the United States,’ she stated.
Oregon officials reacted positively to the ruling.
Governor Tina Kotek expressed satisfaction, stating, ‘Justice has been served, and the truth has prevailed.’
During a news conference, Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield, who spearheaded the legal challenge against the deployment, issued a warning to Trump.
He remarked, ‘No president is allowed to make up facts or rely on social media trolling when deploying military force in our cities.’
Rayfield characterized the ruling as an important message against setting dangerous precedents in the country’s governance.
Portland Mayor Keith Wilson supported the decision, arguing that the federal government overstepped its authority and local leaders are fully capable of maintaining order within the city.
He emphasized that ‘the number of federal troops that are needed or wanted is zero.’
The mayor called for the protesters to de-escalate and disengage from the local Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility, saying, ‘Today was a good day. Peace wins today … Facts matter. That’s what we need to focus on today.’
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