Quick Takeaways:
- The judge ruled that Trump exceeded presidential authority in the National Guard deployment.
- Control of California troops returns to Governor Gavin Newsom.
- Courts continue to block Trump’s federalization of state Guard units.
Court Blocks Trump’s Control of California Troops
A U.S. federal judge has ruled that Donald Trump exceeded his authority by deploying National Guard troops to Los Angeles.
Judge Charles Breyer ordered the troops returned to the control of California Governor Gavin Newsom.
The decision marks another major legal defeat for Trump’s efforts to federalize state Guard units. Breyer said Trump lacked evidence that protests in California amounted to a rebellion.
He also found no legal basis for claiming emergency powers to seize control of state forces.
Judge Rejects Expansive View of Presidential Power
The court rejected the administration’s argument that courts cannot review presidential decisions on Guard deployments.
Breyer said this view erased the constitutional system of checks and balances.
He noted that the administration seemed to want “a blank check” for presidential authority.
The case stemmed from an August order that placed 300 California Guard troops under federal control until 2026.
California challenged the order, arguing that Trump used troops against local communities without justification.
States Push Back Against Federal Deployments
Newsom welcomed the ruling, saying the troops were diverted from essential safety missions.
He said Trump deployed them against their own communities during protests.
Local leaders in other cities have voiced similar objections.
Trump has defended the deployments as necessary to fight crime and protect federal property.
But judges in multiple states found no evidence supporting claims of widespread violence.
Courts have repeatedly ruled that the administration overstepped its authority.
Legal Battle Expands Across Multiple Cities
The ruling adds to a series of legal challenges surrounding Trump’s domestic troop deployments.
Courts have blocked or questioned deployments in Portland, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.
An appeals court recently paused an order ending the deployment in Washington. Military officials have begun scaling back operations as legal uncertainty grows.
The Supreme Court may ultimately decide the limits of presidential power over state Guard units.
For now, California regains authority over its troops, while litigation continues nationwide.