Judge Rules Against Trump’s Military Use in L.A. Protests
California Democrats expressed their approval on Tuesday after a federal judge ruled that President Trump’s deployment of military forces during a tumultuous immigration protest in Los Angeles was unlawful.
U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer issued a 52-page ruling that prohibits the Department of Defense from utilizing the Marines and National Guard for civil law enforcement duties.
In response, White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly described the ruling as an instance of “fraudulent judges attempting to undermine the authority of their commanders to safeguard American cities from chaos and violence.”
Back in June, Trump stated that sending the National Guard to Los Angeles was necessary to aid in migrant enforcement and to prevent the city from descending into chaos amid widespread protests and riots.
California Governor Gavin Newsom celebrated the decision, asserting, “The president isn’t a monarch. No, not even Trump has the power to override the nation’s authority to protect its citizens.”
Newsom further emphasized that the court’s ruling highlighted that Trump was violating the law by “establishing a national police force under the president.” He added that this was a concern they had been vocal about for some time.
While the majority of National Guard troops were pulled from Los Angeles, Trump had previously deployed forces to Washington, D.C. in early August as part of a crime-fighting initiative. Recently, he hinted at possibly sending National Guard resources to other locations, including Chicago.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta remarked that the ruling “confirms” that Trump’s enforcement authority isn’t limitless.
Bonta stated, “For over two months, the president has politicized the National Guard and Marines to push his anti-immigrant agenda. In doing so, he undermines a fundamental aspect of our democracy. Our military remains neutral, and its activities on U.S. soil are strictly limited to safeguarding civil liberties and preventing military provocation.”
Breyer’s earlier directives regarding the deployment of the National Guard faced challenges in federal appellate courts, which allowed Trump to retain troops in Los Angeles.
Bill Essay, the acting attorney for the Central District of California, claimed, “The military remains in Los Angeles. This narrative is misleading and inaccurate.” He asserted on Tuesday that “the military has never directly engaged in law enforcement activities here in Los Angeles.”
He added, “Their role is to safeguard federal employees, and federal agents will ensure the enforcement of federal laws amid the disorder fueled by national and local politicians.”
Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) remarked that a fundamental principle since the nation’s founding is that the military should not be employed to enforce law and order in civilian settings.
Schiff stated, “This ruling confirms that Donald Trump’s deployment of the Marines and California State Guard in Los Angeles was both illegal and unjust.” He further suggested that Trump’s motives were not rooted in public safety but in creating a visual spectacle.
