• A federal judge has extended a block on the deployment of National Guard troops to Portland.
• Judge Karin Immergut found no credible evidence of a rebellion or significant unrest justifying the deployment.
• The ruling follows a legal battle initiated by Oregon state officials against the Trump administration.
• Democratic leaders in Oregon hailed the decision as a victory for state governance and democracy.
• The final ruling is expected by Friday after a thorough review of evidence presented during the trial.

A federal judge in Oregon, Judge Karin Immergut, has extended an order blocking President Trump from deploying National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon, for five days pending a final ruling. This decision comes amidst ongoing legal challenges as the Trump administration seeks to federalize troops to quell protests in several Democratic-led cities, including Portland. Judge Immergut concluded that there was "no credible evidence" showing that the protests leading up to the federalization order were out of control, according to ABC News, CBS News, and South China Morning Post.

In her ruling, Immergut emphasized that protests had mostly resulted in isolated and sporadic incidents of violence, with no significant injuries to federal personnel or damage to federal property, primarily the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility. The judge criticized the Trump administration's assessments of Portland, referencing Trump's descriptions as "war-ravaged," stating they were "simply untethered to the facts." This aligns with findings during the trial, which included testimony and evidence demonstrating that local law enforcement had effectively managed the protests, as reported by ABC News and CBS News.

The administration's justification for deploying National Guard troops was centered on the need to protect federal personnel and property amid a supposed rebellion against immigration enforcement. However, Immergut's review of over 750 exhibits presented during the three-day trial suggested that most conflicts occurred between protesters and counter-protesters rather than directed at federal officials. Legal experts pointed out that ongoing appellate court rulings would likely have constrained deployment anyway, cited by ABC News and South China Morning Post.

Following the ruling, Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield and Governor Tina Kotek expressed their support, with Kotek asserting that the judge's decision was a validation of democratic principles and an assertion of state sovereignty. Rayfield noted that the case emphasizes adherence to factual evidence over political motivations. The judge is expected to issue a final ruling by this coming Friday, which will further clarify the legal standing on the deployment issue, according to CBS News and South China Morning Post.