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The ninth circuit court has maintained a ban on deploying state troops in Portland, Oregon, following a latest court ruling.

Appeals Court Concurs to Rehear Case

The federal appeals court decided on this week that it would rehear the case concerning the president’s authority with an larger group of 11 judges. The court also vacated a earlier ruling from a smaller judicial group that had sided with the federal government.

Ongoing Dispute Over Troop Deployment

This order represents the latest turn in a long-running court case over whether the administration has the legal right and valid reason to send state military units in Portland. Approximately 200 federalized guard members have been in uncertainty since the end of September when the deployment effort was started in due to ongoing demonstrations.

Conflicting Arguments

The administration has argued that government employees at the ICE facility in south Portland were under attack, while local authorities maintain that municipal police have control of the situation.

Contrary to characterizations of Portland as a conflict zone, locals have been posting videos of lush hiking trails and a thriving food scene, and organizing activities such as an Emergency Naked Bike Ride against the increased military presence.

Court Proceedings

The Tuesday ruling came after a federal judge in Portland enacted two temporary restraining orders this month – one blocking the federalization of the state troops, and another prohibiting the deployment of any military personnel in the state, after attempts to circumvent the initial injunction by mobilizing out-of-state forces.

On the previous day, the appeals court had put the first ruling on hold – allowing control of state troops – but the second ruling remained in place, blocking the physical sending of the troops.

En Banc Review

The latest ruling means the matter will be heard “en banc” – with both rulings under consideration simultaneously – by a group of 11 judges.

“This decision demonstrates that facts are important and that the courts are working to ensure government responsibility. The constitution restricts the president’s power, and local populations cannot be treated as a training ground for expansive government power,” stated the legal representative in a official comment.

“The judicial body is sending a definite signal: the executive leader cannot dispatch the armed forces into US cities unnecessarily. We will continue defending Oregon’s laws, values, and autonomy as this legal proceeding moves forward and our fight continues in the courts.”