Portland, Oregon – A federal judge has ruled against the deployment of national guard troops in response to protests in Portland, determining there was insufficient evidence to warrant such federal intervention. Judge Karin Immergut, appointed by former President Donald Trump, issued her decision on Friday, concluding that the demonstrations near the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility have been largely peaceful, despite some isolated incidents of violence.

In her ruling, Immergut emphasized that the conflicts seen in recent protests were predominantly between protesters and counter-protesters, rather than involving confrontations with federal agents. Earlier this week, she temporarily restricted the deployment of national guard troops until she could thoroughly assess the situation, ultimately finding no credible indication that the protests had escalated to a level that required military response.

The judge’s injunction specifically prevents Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem from sending national guard members to Oregon. Immergut noted that while she might not have the authority to issue orders to the President, her ruling serves to protect the state from extraneous federal military actions at this time.

This comes on the heels of an intense legal battle as the Trump administration sought to federalize and mobilize national guard units in various cities across the nation to manage ongoing protests. The ICE facility in southwest Portland has been a focal point for demonstrations, particularly since June when local police declared a protest a riot. In response to escalating tensions, the city of Portland and the state of Oregon filed a lawsuit against the federal government in September.

Earlier this month, Immergut issued a temporary restraining order to prevent the deployment of national guard troops in Oregon—an order the Trump administration subsequently appealed. The judge’s latest decision follows three days of testimony from law enforcement officials who detailed the conditions surrounding the ICE facility during the protests.

Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield celebrated the ruling as a significant victory, stating it underscores the importance of upholding the principles of truth and the rule of law. He emphasized that the case has always been about ensuring factual circumstances guide legal processes, as opposed to political motivations.

Despite the setback, the Trump administration is poised to appeal the judge’s ruling, continuing the contentious legal discourse surrounding federal troop deployment amid domestic protests across the country. With tensions still palpable, the outcome of this case could set a precedent for how federal forces engage in civilian protests in the future.