Judge Rules Against Federal Control of National Guard in California

A recent ruling from a U.S. District Court has determined that the Trump administration must return control of the California National Guard troops stationed in Los Angeles back to the state. Judge Charles Breyer issued this order on Wednesday, dismissing the administration’s argument that rising immigration protests represented a “rebellion.” He also ordered a temporary restraining order to facilitate the transfer of authority back to California Governor Gavin Newsom.

This decision follows a federal directive that deployed 2,000 National Guard members to Los Angeles in response to significant anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) demonstrations. The legal framework allows a sitting president to federalize the National Guard to address foreign invasions or instances where they are unable to enforce the law.

California filed a lawsuit against the deployment, claiming the president was misusing the guard as a personal police force, which violates restrictions on military usage for domestic issues.

Judge Breyer, in his 35-page ruling, stated that such deployment is “contrary to law” and poses a risk of establishing a “national police force made up of state troops.”

“The founders designed our government to be a system of checks and balances,” Breyer noted. “Defendants, however, make clear that the only check they want is a blank one.”

In defense of federal involvement, President Trump argued it was necessary due to perceived inaction by Governor Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass in addressing the unrest.

“If Governor Gavin Newscum, of California, and Mayor Karen Bass, of Los Angeles, can’t do their jobs, which everyone knows they can’t, then the Federal Government will step in and solve the problem, RIOTS & LOOTERS, the way it should be solved!!!” the president posted on Truth Social, using a derogatory nickname for Newsom.