![Appeals court lifts ban on federal troops in Portland](https://static.politico.com/dims4/default/165ef90/2147483647/resize/971x/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.politico.com%2F20%2F65%2F0a235c7b47d38351be3696bba073%2Fap20239707294058-1.jpg)
A divided federal appeals court has lifted a judge’s order preventing federal law enforcement agents in Portland, Ore., from forcing journalists and legal observers from the scene of almost-nightly clashes between authorities and protesters.
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals issued an order Thursday night temporarily granting the Justice Department’s request to lift a preliminary injunction U.S. District Court Judge Michael Simon imposed last week extending restrictions he placed on federal agents last month.
The panel split, 2-1. Two judges appointed by President Donald Trump, Eric Miller and Daniel Bress, provided the votes to stay the order issued by Simon, a Barack Obama appointee. The dissenting court of appeals judge was Margaret McKeown, a Bill Clinton appointee.