Trending Now - Court Temporarily Lifts Restrictions on Tear Gas for Federal Agents in Portland
WHO:
9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
Trump administration
ACLU of Oregon
Department of Homeland Security
Two judges appointed by President Donald Trump
One dissenting judge appointed by President Joe Biden
WHAT:
The appeals court's decision to pause the lower court rulings was made by a three-judge panel.
The federal responses to protests included firing tear gas at hundreds of people, including children, during a daytime march in late January 2026.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted a request for temporary administrative stays in two cases.
The decision was 2-1.
Federal officers' use of tear gas was previously restricted during protests.
The federal judges in Portland issued preliminary injunctions limiting federal agents from using chemical munitions unless there is an imminent threat.
Oral arguments in the two cases will be consolidated and scheduled for April 7th, 2026.
WHERE:
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in Portland, Oregon
WHEN:
The appeals court decision occurred on Wednesday, March 25th, 2026.
The large-scale demonstration where tear gas was used occurred in late January 2026.
Oral arguments are scheduled for April 7th, 2026.
WHY:
The lawsuits were filed by the ACLU of Oregon on behalf of protesters and freelance journalists, and by residents of an affordable housing complex across from the Portland ICE building.
Protests have been ongoing since June 2025 over the administration's deportation practices.
Lawsuits argue that the use of chemical and projectile munitions violated the rights of protesters and residents.
HOW:
The Department of Homeland Security stated it is authorized to take actions deemed appropriate and necessary to defuse violence against officers.
Federal authorities used chemical munitions to disperse crowds during protests.
(UPDATED March 27, 2026 13:22 UTC)
A three-judge panel of the appeals court has decided to pause the lower court rulings regarding the federal response to protests, which included firing tear gas at hundreds of people, including children, during a daytime march in late January. The lawsuits prompting this decision were filed by the ACLU of Oregon on behalf of protesters and freelance journalists, as well as residents of an affordable housing complex near the Portland ICE building. The Department of Homeland Security has stated it is authorized to take actions deemed appropriate and necessary to defuse violence against officers.
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(UPDATED March 27, 2026 09:16 UTC)
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted a request for temporary administrative stays in two cases involving the use of tear gas by federal officers during protests, with the decision coming down on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. The ruling was made by a panel of three judges, two appointed by Trump and one appointed by Biden, and it overturned preliminary injunctions that had previously limited the use of chemical munitions unless there was an imminent threat. Oral arguments for these consolidated cases are set to take place on April 7, 2026, amid ongoing protests in Portland, Oregon, that have been fueled by concerns over the administration's deportation practices.