Hi John,

"This is a nation of constitutional law, not martial law." That's what Trump-appointed judge Karin Immergut wrote in her order rejecting the administration's claims it needed to send troops to Portland. 

The Trump administration is claiming that conditions on the ground in Portland are so bad they need to have the military – not law enforcement – protecting the city. On Truth Social, Trump referred to Portland as "war ravaged." 

But in her decision, Judge Immergut said the administration was acting in a way "untethered to facts." 

The danger isn't just troops in our streets – it's letting one man decide what's true.

Constitutional expert Steve Vladeck put it simply: the president can't just declare an emergency, the facts have to support it.

This isn't a matter of left vs. right, Democrats vs. Republicans. It's a question of whether our constitutional order still stands. 

Even Trump-appointed judges, like Judge Immergut, are saying these acts are blurring important constitutional boundaries – and we should listen. 

A nation of laws requires a basic adherence to the truth and respect for all three branches of government, not just the executive. 

That's why we are putting pressure on Congress to take back their Constitutionally-mandated powers and stop the increasing encroachment of the executive branch. 

Will you help fund our work so we can keep Congress focused on doing the right thing?