Order Preventing National Guard Deployment to Oregon Expires Tomorrow Night

A U.S. District Judge’s temporary order barring the government from sending National Guard troops to Portland expires tomorrow (Sunday), and the Trump administration refuses to briefly extend the order to allow more time to rule on the legal case.

During a late-night telephonic hearing, Oregon U.S. District Judge Karin J. Immergut expressed concern that 200 members of the California National Guard had already been deployed to Oregon, while the Defense Secretary had authorized Texas National Guard members to protect federal property and ICE agents in Oregon.

Government Refuses to Allow a Brief Extension to Give the Judge Time to Assess Three Days of Evidence

Judge Immergut requested a brief extension so that she has sufficient time to consider three days of evidence, testimony, and trial exhibits before ruling on the legality of the mobilization of National Guard members to Oregon.

At the court hearing on Friday, the U.S. Justice Department lawyer Eric Hamilton said immigration protesters in Portland had repeatedly targeted the ICE detention center with acts of violence, intimidation, and threats.

Responding, Oregon Senior Assistant Attorney General Scott P. Kennedy, described the National Guard mobilization as an infringement on state sovereignty.

Judge Will Make Ruling Before Midnight Tomorrow

Their closing arguments ended the short trial in the Portland federal court before Judge Immergut, who stated that she will make a ruling on the case at some stage before her temporary order expires at 11.59 p.m. tomorrow.

However, Hamilton stated that the federal government will dispute any preliminary or permanent injunction she may issue.

Oregon, California, and the City of Portland are seeking a permanent injunction to restrict any National Guard troops from entering their states.

Their arguments were reinforced when Portland Police Commander Franz Schoening testified about the unjustified use of tear gas and 40mm munitions fired by federal officers on passive protesters.

Meanwhile, in testimony, Federal Protective Service supervisors accused Portland police of failing to respond to violence outside the ICE facility.

They said protesters had spray-painted the building, blockaded the vehicle entrance gate, followed ICE agents in their vehicles, and thrown fireworks and rocks during a three-week summer protest.

Senior Assistant Attorney General Kennedy pointed out that the number of ICE agents at the detention center outnumbered the protesters outside the building.