Federal Judges Weigh Deployment of National Guard to Portland Amidst Protests

A temporary restraining order bars President Donald Trump from deploying Oregon National Guard troops to Portland, with judges deliberating on whether to uphold the order. At the center of the debate is the definition of a "rebellion," with the federal government arguing that the protests outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building are a deliberate, organized resistance to the laws and operations of the government. The state of Oregon, along with the city of Portland, maintains that the protests do not rise to the level of a rebellion and that local law enforcement is capable of ensuring building and protestor safety.

Key Takeaways:

• The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments from the state of Oregon and the Trump administration, with three judges set to decide whether to uphold a temporary order barring Trump from deploying Oregon National Guard troops to Portland.
• The appeals case does not include California, which has joined Oregon and Portland in seeking a second temporary restraining order after the Trump administration tried to send troops from California and Texas to Portland.
• U.S. District Court Judge Karin Immergut granted the restraining order against Oregon Guard deployment on Saturday, saying the Trump administration had not made the case that a rebellion was taking place at the protests outside the ICE facility.
• The state of Oregon and the city of Portland argue that the protests do not rise to the level of a rebellion and that local law enforcement is capable of ensuring building and protestor safety.
• The federal government, represented by U.S. Department of Justice Attorney Eric McArthur, maintains that the protests are a deliberate, organized resistance to the laws and operations of the government.
• The case is ongoing, with a check-in scheduled for October 17 and a hearing on the merits of the state's case for October 29.

Statistics:

• About 200 people showed up to protest outside the Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in Portland on Sunday.
• The Trump administration called up 200 Oregon Guard troops on September 28 and placed them under control of the U.S. Northern Command.
• The troops have been waiting and training at Camp Rilea in Warrenton for over a week.
• The federal government has prosecuted 22 protestors for crimes against the ICE building or federal officers since protests began four months ago.

Sources:

• Oregon Capital Chronicle
• Oregon Capital Chronicle
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