Overview

• The case challenging President Trump’s federalization and deployment of Oregon National Guard troops in Portland was reassigned to U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut after Judge Michael H. Simon stepped aside.
• Oregon and the City of Portland seek a temporary restraining order to halt the deployment, with an emergency hearing still set under the new assignment.
• The Justice Department argued recusal was warranted due to the appearance of partiality stemming from Rep. Suzanne Bonamici’s public criticism and advocacy against the deployment.
• Federal lawyers also filed a brief opposing any injunction, asserting the Guard mission is lawful and tailored to protecting federal personnel and facilities in Portland.
• The lawsuit was filed after the Defense Department authorized about 200 Oregon Guard members for federal service in the city, following recent, contested troop deployments in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.