Judge’s Ruling Against National Guard Deployment
A federal judge has accused President Trump of using National Guard troops to establish a “national police force” and has ordered him to relinquish control over the California troops he has deployed.
Judge Charles Breyer, appointed by former President Clinton, stated that this ruling requires an end to Trump’s troop deployment in Los Angeles and mandates the return of control to Governor Gavin Newsom. This decision also restricts the president’s ability to send California’s troops to other cities like Chicago or Portland, Oregon.
The judge postponed his ruling for five days, allowing the administration time to appeal, but he did not hold back in his criticism of Trump. He emphasized that the founders intended for a system of checks and balances, stating, “Defendants make clear that the only check they want is a blank one.”
Breyer noted that Trump’s justification for federalizing National Guard troops—to address violence in Los Angeles—has long since passed. Nevertheless, Trump has maintained control over 300 state troops in Los Angeles for protecting federal buildings.
The judge expressed concern that sending California guardsmen into other states effectively creates a national police force composed of state troops. This ruling represents a significant victory for Governor Newsom, who had contested the deployment.
Newsom remarked on the ruling: “Today’s ruling is abundantly clear—the federalization of the National Guard in California is illegal and must end. The president deployed these brave men and women against their own communities, removing them from essential public safety operations.”
This ruling serves as a preliminary injunction. Previously, Breyer had issued an injunction against troop deployment in Los Angeles; however, an appeals court blocked that decision.
Trump’s troop deployments to Portland and Chicago have also faced legal challenges. While appeals courts allowed him to call up troops from Texas and California, they prohibited actual deployments while legal matters are resolved. The case concerning Chicago is currently under review by the Supreme Court.
At its peak, Trump’s administration had 4,000 guard members along with 700 active-duty Marines deployed. Currently, only 300 guard members remain active in Los Angeles as conditions have calmed down significantly.
