In a surprising turn of events, U.S. District Judge Michael Simon recused himself from a high-profile case challenging President Donald Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to Portland, Oregon, as The Hill reports.

The recusal came after the Justice Department raised concerns about Simon’s marriage to Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, a Democrat who has publicly opposed the deployment, leading to the case’s reassignment to Judge Karin Immergut just before a critical hearing.

The controversy began when President Trump announced plans to send the National Guard to Portland to protect an Immigration and Customs Enforcement building. This decision followed similar deployments to Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles in recent months. The Defense Department soon authorized 200 members of Oregon’s National Guard for the mission.

Deployment sparks legal, political tensions

In response to the federal action, Oregon and the city of Portland filed a lawsuit over the weekend. They sought to block the deployment, arguing against the use of state resources for federal purposes. A hearing on their request for a temporary injunction was scheduled for Friday.

Judge Michael Simon, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, was initially assigned to oversee the case. However, his connection to Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, who represents a district near Portland, quickly drew scrutiny. Bonamici has been outspoken against the deployment, both in public statements and online.

At a press conference alongside Oregon’s governor, Bonamici criticized the federal move. She also took to the social media platform Bluesky to highlight the financial burden, stating, “It’s absurd that Trump is spending an expected $3.8 million to deploy the National Guard to Portland, especially during a government shutdown and when families are struggling to pay for health care, housing, and groceries.”

Justice Department questions impartiality

The Justice Department filed a motion questioning Simon’s role in the case due to his spouse’s involvement. The motion acknowledged that Simon and Bonamici do not speak for each other but argued, “the unique factual, legal and political role that Judge Simon’s spouse has played in the central events of this lawsuit may create the appearance of partiality.”

This concern prompted swift action, with the Justice Department raising the issue just hours before Simon’s recusal on Thursday. The timing was critical, as the recusal occurred only one day before the scheduled hearing on Oregon’s request to halt the deployment.

In his statement, Simon addressed the decision to step aside, saying, “Although the Court does not believe that recusal is required under either federal law or the Code of Conduct for United States Judges, because it is necessary that the focus of this lawsuit remain on the critically important constitutional and statutory issues presented by the parties, the undersigned U.S. District Judge hereby recuses himself.”

Case reassigned amid high stakes hearing

Following Simon’s recusal, the case was randomly reassigned to U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut. Appointed by President Trump, Immergut now presides over the legal challenge. This shift introduces a new dynamic to the proceedings as the hearing date approaches.

The deployment has stirred significant debate, particularly given Bonamici’s vocal opposition and the broader context of federal-state tensions. Her district, which includes Portland’s western suburbs and coastal areas, is directly affected by the events unfolding in the city.

The financial aspect of the deployment, as highlighted by Bonamici, adds another layer of contention. The estimated cost of $3.8 million has drawn criticism, especially during a government shutdown when many residents face economic hardship.

Oregon’s legal battle continues

As the case moves forward under Judge Immergut, the core issues remain unchanged. Oregon and Portland continue to push for a block on the National Guard’s deployment, arguing it oversteps federal authority. The outcome could set a precedent for future state-federal conflicts over military resources.

The timing of the recusal and reassignment has heightened attention on the case. With the hearing imminent, all eyes are on how Immergut will handle the arguments presented by both sides. The decision could have immediate impacts on Portland’s security landscape.

This legal battle reflects broader national debates over federal intervention in local affairs, especially in politically charged environments like Portland. As events unfold, the balance between state autonomy and federal power remains a central question. The resolution of this case may resonate far beyond Oregon’s borders.