A federal appeals court has overturned a lower court’s decision, permitting President Donald Trump to deploy National Guard troops to Portland, Oregon. The ruling, issued by the San Francisco-based Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, allows approximately 200 troops to be stationed to safeguard federal buildings. This decision comes despite strong opposition from local and state officials, who argue that such intervention is unnecessary. The court’s majority found Trump’s 60-day deployment plan to be a ‘measured response’ to ongoing protests outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Portland’s South Waterfront district. The protests, which have persisted for months, have occasionally turned violent. The Justice Department had sought the deployment, asserting that local authorities have failed to address the unrest adequately. Earlier this month, US District Court Judge Karen Immergut had issued a temporary restraining order to block the deployment of the Oregon National Guard. Hours later, she also halted Trump’s attempt to deploy Texas National Guard units. The White House welcomed the appeals court’s decision, stating it reaffirms the president’s lawful authority to protect federal assets and personnel. However, Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield criticized the ruling, warning it grants the president ‘unilateral power’ to deploy troops with minimal justification. He urged the Ninth Circuit judges to reconsider and overturn the decision before the deployment proceeds.