President Trump has publicly accused six members of Congress of being “traitors” for producing a video reminding members of the armed forces that they can refuse illegal orders, going so far as to suggest they should be arrested and put on trial. This reaction underscores Trump’s pattern of viewing criticism as an attack on the state, revealing both his disregard for free speech and his narcissistic tendencies. The video itself, which made reference to controversial actions by Trump, merely reiterated the established legal principle that service members have a duty to disobey unlawful orders. Despite this, Trump’s response shows his habit of equating dissent with treason, as he has done with previous critics, and highlights an authoritarian impulse.
Read More
In a recent ruling, a federal judge issued a permanent injunction against President Trump, preventing the deployment of National Guard troops to Oregon. The judge determined the president exceeded his authority in federalizing the Guard, as the criteria for doing so, namely a danger of rebellion and obstruction of federal law enforcement, were not met. The ruling found Trump’s actions violated federal law and the 10th Amendment. The court’s decision, however, does not preclude future deployments if conditions warrant it, and the government is expected to appeal the decision.
Read More
In a legal defeat for the Trump administration, a federal judge ruled that the deployment of National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon, was unlawful. The ruling, made by U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut, permanently blocks the use of military force to quell protests, rejecting the administration’s claim of a rebellion justifying the troops. This decision, which followed an earlier interim order, comes after the city of Portland and the Oregon Attorney General’s Office sued, arguing the administration exaggerated violence to justify the deployment. The Justice Department is likely to appeal the ruling, potentially leading the case to the Supreme Court.
Read More
A federal judge in Oregon has issued a permanent injunction preventing the Trump administration from deploying the National Guard in Portland to address protests against immigration policies. The judge, appointed during Trump’s term, ruled that the deployment was unjustified because there was no rebellion or inability to execute federal laws. Oregon officials and the California Attorney General celebrated the decision, calling Trump’s actions an abuse of power and a win for the rule of law. The Justice Department, however, immediately appealed the ruling, arguing the deployment was necessary to address violence and protect federal personnel and property, and the case remains ongoing.
Read More
In a recent legal battle over the use of National Guard troops, the Trump administration initially secured a win when a 9th Circuit panel stayed a temporary restraining order issued by a U.S. District Judge. However, the victory was short-lived as Oregon attorneys alerted the appellate court to a factual error, revealing the government exaggerated the number of federal officers deployed. The court relied on the inaccurate information, but the 9th Circuit swiftly paused the panel’s stay of the first restraining order. This occurred after the government admitted that the number of troops used was significantly less than originally claimed.
Read More
Sunday’s demonstration in Portland, Oregon, marked three months of intensified unrest, as anti-ICE protesters and counterprotesters clashed near an ICE center. Counterprotesters, some wearing Trump-branded attire, carried banners and sang patriotic songs, while protesters across the street voiced their opposition to the administration’s immigration policies. Federal agents observed the demonstration, occasionally using pepper balls on the crowd. The city is currently awaiting an appeals court ruling regarding the deployment of federalized National Guard troops.
Read More
Former family doctor David B. Farley surrendered to authorities in Oregon and was arraigned on felony sexual abuse charges, stemming from accusations made by over 160 patients. A grand jury indicted Farley on nine counts of sexual abuse and related charges involving three patients over 11 years, including one minor. The 67-year-old pleaded not guilty and a trial date was set for December 6th. The charges against Farley come after years of investigation, including a previous instance where a grand jury declined to indict him in 2022.
Read More
President Donald Trump and his administration have been portraying Portland, Oregon, as a city consumed by lawlessness, a depiction refuted by local residents and elected officials. Trump has made false claims about widespread fires and businesses being rebuilt with plywood, contradicting the reality of peaceful protests and daily life. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem accused Portland officials of covering up the alleged chaos, drawing ridicule and counter-evidence from Senator Ron Wyden and City Council member Angelita Morillo. Residents have also documented the city’s normalcy, challenging the administration’s narrative.
Read More
Donald Trump was not awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize; it went to Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado instead. Trump had hoped his role in the recent Israel-Hamas ceasefire might secure the prize. He had previously stated he would be the first to settle seven wars and that he would eventually settle the Russia situation. Asle Toje, deputy leader of the Nobel committee, suggested Trump’s campaigning for the award could have hindered his chances. This likely fueled Trump’s long-standing envy of Barack Obama, particularly regarding Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize.
Read More
A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking the Trump administration from deploying any National Guard units to Oregon. This decision came after the president attempted to circumvent a prior ruling against deploying Oregon’s National Guard by mobilizing troops from California and potentially Texas. The judge, appointed by Trump, questioned the federal government’s actions as a circumvention of her initial order. Both Oregon and California officials have expressed their disapproval of the president’s actions, with the Governor vowing to resist further attempts to deploy troops.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker