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.