U.S. District Judge Karin J. Immergut issued a temporary restraining order blocking the deployment of 200 National Guard troops to Portland after the state and city sued to prevent the federalization. The judge cited constitutional concerns, arguing the president’s actions undermined Oregon’s sovereignty and blurred the lines between civil and military federal power, granting a temporary restraining order, which could be extended, based on a likelihood of success on the merits. The ruling stems from a memo ordering the National Guard’s federalization and deployment, which was also opposed by the Oregon governor, who stated there was no insurrection or threat warranting the troops. The Trump administration has appealed the ruling, which followed a similar court decision in California against the use of the National Guard, and the president has indicated interest in deploying troops to other cities as well.
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Following President Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops and federal agents to Washington, D.C., the city’s mayor condemned the intervention as unpatriotic and an overreach of federal power. The deployment, framed by the administration as a response to rising crime, has faced significant backlash, particularly due to its unprecedented nature and potential infringement on home rule. Despite a reported decrease in violent crime, the federal government’s actions include placing the city’s police department under federal control, though a recent deal partially reversed this. Subsequently, several Republican-led states announced they would deploy National Guard troops to the city, further increasing the federal presence.
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Faced with President Trump’s sweeping import tariffs, California Governor Gavin Newsom is actively seeking to mitigate the economic impact on the state. Newsom’s administration is pursuing strategic relationships with countries implementing retaliatory tariffs, aiming to exempt California goods from these taxes. This proactive approach comes as the White House’s new tariffs, ranging from 10% to 34%, threaten California industries, particularly agriculture and construction, with potential billions of dollars in losses and significant supply chain disruptions. The state’s significant role in U.S. trade makes it particularly vulnerable to these escalating trade conflicts.
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John Q. Hosedrinker